International Tobacco Industries sealed off for operating without environmental clearance

The Department of Environment has sealed off the International Tobacco Industries in Chattogram for its illegal operations without any environmental clearance.

At the same time, gas and electricity connections have been cut off at the factory.

Department of Environment conducted the enforcement operation at the company, located in Chandgaon industrial area of Chattogram city on Wednesday, according to a press statement from the Department of Environment, Chattogram. 

Earlier, on 4 September, 2019, the company was fined Tk70 lakh as compensation for operating its factory without any environmental clearance. At that time, it was also instructed that the company should pay the compensation and get the clearance certificate before it resumes production. 

Later, on 6 July this year, it was fined Tk200,000 again for operating without any environmental clearance. Even then, the tobacco factory continued activities without submitting documents for obtaining the clearance.

The Department of Environment has finally sealed off and disconnected the gas and electricity connections at the company as it repeatedly violated written and verbal instructions.

Meanwhile, the authority has fined nine other organisations of Chattogram division more than Tk4 lakh for not having environmental clearance, breach of conditions and cutting down hills.