HC suggests apparel stimulus writ hearing at regular bench

The High Court (HC) on Thursday did not give any order after a virtual hearing over a writ filed by an apparel manufacturer who did not receive government announced stimulus funds.

The bench of Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman suggested that the readymade garment owner shift the hearing on the writ to a different bench once regular court activities resume.

Sakhawat Hosen, owner of Narayanganj-based Hemal Sweater (Pvt) Ltd, filed the writ at the High Court on June 1.

The writ asked why the inactivity of the Bangladesh Bank over disbursing government announced stimulus package funds for the readymade sector shall not be declared illegal. In it, the general manager of the central bank and Islami Bank high officials were made the respondents.

Supreme Court Lawyer Barrister AKM Fakhrul Islam moved for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupto stood for the state.

Barrister AKM Fakhrul said, "The court said we are not issuing a rule regarding the central bank issue as it may not be possible to resolve it when the normal court activities resume. Therefore, the writ may be heard at a regular bench."

The lawyer said his client applied to the central bank for stimulus package funds on April 2. The apparel manufacturer stated in the application that he needed to avail the funds for clearing March, April and May salaries of his employees.  

Barrister Fakhrul said, "The application had the recommendation of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association saying the applicant is eligible for the facility."

"But his account is in Islami Bank which is out of the stimulus package distribution. Therefore, the apparel manufacturer did not get the stimulus funds," added the lawyer.

Last March Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a Tk5,000 crore stimulus package for the export-oriented readymade industries that have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the fund would be given for payment of workers.