Govt to follow ‘zero tolerance’ policy on canal encroachment and irregularities: Water Resources Minister

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Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury has warned that the government will follow the policy of ‘zero tolerance’ in the case of canal encroachment and irregularities. Strict legal action will be taken against those who are obstructing the flow of water by illegally encroaching or planting canals.  

The minister himself cut the soil with a spade and inaugurated the re-excavation program of the seven kilometer long canal.

Regarding the irrigation crisis and elimination of waterlogging, the minister said that since the canals have not been renovated and re-dug for a long time, not only in Chuadanga, but in the entire country, there has been a major deficiency in the irrigation system. As a result, farmers are suffering due to waterlogging in monsoon and lack of water in dry season. 

He mentioned that canal digging program was a big public welfare initiative during the time of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. Those unfinished works are being completed on priority basis by the present government.

Highlighting the success of the present government, the minister said that to encourage the production of farmers, agricultural loans of about Tk 1,500 crore have already been waived with interest. Agriculture is the main driving force of the economy of Bangladesh, so the government is very vigilant in protecting the interests of farmers.

According to the sources of Water Development Board, the average width of the bottom of this seven kilometer long canal starting from Icherdari junction has been determined to be seven meters and the average depth is 1.5 meters. If this project is implemented, 5 thousand 200 farmers of the area will get direct irrigation facility and their long standing waterlogging problem will be solved permanently.

Under the chairmanship of Chuadanga District Commissioner Lutfon Nahar, Masud Parvez Russell, Member of Parliament for Chuadanga-1 Constituency, Shajahan Siraj, Chief Engineer of Water Development Board, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Ruhul Kabir Khan and General Secretary of Chuadanga District BNP attended the event as special guests. Sharifuzzaman Sharif. 

Alamdanga Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Panna Akhtar conducted the program.