`Syed Ashraf not removed`

Secretariat Correspondent: Cabinet Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuyan confirmed that the LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was not removed from the cabinet.

It was rumored on Tuesday that the LGRD Minister may lose his portfolio as LGRD and Cooperatives minister.

While talking with journalist the Cabinet Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuyan also clarified, "No direction has been come to me of withdrawal of the Minister."

Mosharraf Hossain briefed journalists at the secretariat on the day.

Ashraful, who is the general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was not present in the today`s meeting of Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC), according to sources.

And for this, according to the report, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was displeased on Ashraf and rumours was spread that the Minister was removed from his portfolio.

Ashraf, the Senior Awami League leader, was serving as LGRD minister in his second stint. He was first given the portfolio in 2009.

risingbd/ DHAKA/ July 7, 2015/ Shafiq/ Mahfuz