United News of Bangladesh

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Friday said the opposition should understand that it is not possible to complete all development work within six months, questioning their planned Dhaka-Chattogram long march. “Six months have passed since we took responsibility. Have 20,000 kilometres of canals been re-excavated within this period? Is there any scope to say that all the work has been completed? The opposition should understand this. They will bring out a long march within just six months,” he said. The minister was speaking after inaugurating a canal-cleaning programme at Rahmatkhali Canal in Lakshmipur municipality around 11:30am. The district units of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal organised the programme. He also said they do not practise the politics of photo sessions or photo shows. The 11-party alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, will hold a Dhaka-Chattogram long march on Saturday to push for its various demands, including carrying out state reforms, ensuring a democratic environment, resolving the ongoing gas and power crisis, and fulfilling the aspirations of the July 2024 mass uprising. Referring to BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Anee said, “He is showing us a dream. I do not want to live in a dream alone; I want to turn that dream into reality.” He said the government has taken up an initiative to re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals and has already started implementing it. The minister also said social activities could help make society free of drugs, as the main goal of the social movement is to create a drug-free environment. He alleged that influential people who benefited from the trend of the past 17 years are still pulling the strings and urged legal action against those involved in drug-related activities. The programme was moderated by district BNP Joint Convener Advocate Hasibur Rahman. District BNP Member Secretary and Zila Parishad Administrator Sahab Uddin Sabu, Bangladesh Football Federation Vice-President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy, district Swechchhasebak Dal President Advocate Mohsin Kabir Swapan, Secretary Harunur Rashid and Krishak Dal leader Mostafizur Rahman Sohel, among others, were present.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Sunday said no canal excavation project would be halted under pressure from influential quarters, as allegedly occurred during previous unelected administrations. “The government led by Tarique Rahman will not suspend canal excavation projects in the face of any obstacles,” he told reporters while visiting the historic Choukkar Canal in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. The minister said the Choukkar Canal was originally excavated during the presidency of Ziaur Rahman and emphasised the government’s commitment to restoring and protecting the country’s waterways. Canals to be reclaimed from illegal occupants: Water Resources Minister State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, who accompanied him, said legal action would be taken against industries and individuals responsible for encroaching on canals and rivers. During the visit, environmental activists campaigning for canal protection submitted a memorandum to the minister, urging stronger enforcement measures to safeguard natural water bodies. The minister later inspected the Lablong Canal as part of his tour of the area.