929 illegal structures evicted to save rivers
Shipping minister tells JS
The government has evicted 929 illegal structures, out of 4,021, from the banks and foreshores of three rivers--Buriganga, Turag and Balu--in its drives since May 2010.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday told parliament while replying to the lawmakers' query on Thursday, the first day of its 11th session.
The minister said the drive is going on following a 2010 High Court verdict to recover the grabbed lands of four rivers--Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Turag and Balu.
Earlier, Speaker Abdul Hamid Khan at the begging of the yesterday's session called upon the opposition to return to parliament to make the session effective.
Before beginning of the yesterday's business, the Speaker said participation of the opposition parties is equally important to make the parliament vibrant.
“In real sense only the opposition can point out mistakes of the government. Besides, they can play a positive role to run the government in right track by making constructive criticism in parliament,” Abdul Hamid said during his introductory remarks.
The Speaker at one stage of his speech criticised a section of newspaper which, according to him for publishing "partial and fabricated" news recently.
“Such types of news create confusion among people which is unexpected by all means,” said Hamid.
Shajahan said over 70 acres of land of Chittagong Port while 2,068 acres of land in Mongla Port are now under the control of grabbers. The local administration has been requested to take necessary steps to recover the grabbed land under the Mongla port, he told the House.
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