Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Monday said the government plans to excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals and beels in Bangladesh over the next five years under a programme announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“We will not only excavate them but also evict those who have illegally occupied river, canal and beel land,” he told reporters after inaugurating the re-excavation of a three-kilometre canal from Moragachha to Hashimpur in Khoksa Upazila in the afternoon.
Responding to a question about whether general people are suffering due to a large number of cases, the minister said the government would hold discussions with the affected parties and the judiciary.
“We will try to resolve the problems by taking effective steps in the form of recommendations,” he said.
Replying to another question regarding a referendum, the NCP and the July Charter, Asaduzzaman said the National Citizen Party (NCP) has made ‘half-understood comments’.
“We will respond to this in parliament. Their allegations are not correct. We, BNP will walk on the path of July light with respect for the July Charter. We are not acting out of emotion alone; we are moving forward with both emotion and law together,” he said.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, under the Disaster Management Department, is implementing Khoksar Moragachha-Hasimpur Canal re-excavation work under the nationwide river, canal, canal, and stream excavation and re-excavation project.
The district administration organised a discussion meeting on the occasion at the Moragachha Government Primary School ground.
The minister said that canal and river excavation projects were part of the government’s election manifesto to restore navigability, expand irrigation, boost crop production and improve the environment.
He said the initiative would also help strengthen river-based communication and make people more self-reliant.
Recalling the role of former president Ziaur Rahman, he said canal excavation during his time contributed to an agricultural revolution that helped the country achieve food self-sufficiency.