Land Minister warns against irregularities in govt water body leasing

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu on Tuesday (20 October) warned that no irregularities would be tolerated in the leasing of government-owned water bodies, directing the relevant authorities to ensure the highest level of transparency and accountability in their management.

The minister issued the warning while presiding over the 92nd meeting of the Committee on Leasing Government Water Reservoirs (Jalmahals) for Development Projects at the Land Ministry's conference room here.

The open and online-based leasing system will pave the way for genuine fishermen's cooperative associations, which would increase the country's fish production and play a vital role in its overall economy, the minister said.

This open leasing system will help protect the rights of genuine fishermen, increase fish production and bring dynamism to government revenue collection.

Speaking as the special guest, State Minister for Land Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin said priority had been given to ensuring that marginalised and genuine fishermen could participate in the process without any barriers.

Proposals for 34 government-owned water bodies, including 11 in Moulvibazar, one in Rangpur, 19 in Sylhet and three in Kushtia, were discussed at the meeting.

After conducting the necessary review, the meeting decided to lease 25 water bodies for six years for development projects.

Source: BSS