Sylhet Bureau :
A memorandum has been submitted to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government on eight point demands including cancellation of the lease of Balumahal, a mineral-sand-stone-rich frontier river. This memorandum was given by the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) on behalf of Sunamganj Tahirpur Upazila Branch of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on Saturday afternoon.
The memorandum mentions that the anti-discrimination student movement has keenly observed that in the name of Jadukata River sand leases and illegal boat wharfs syndicates are raking in billions of rupees overnight. Loss of valuable minerals from rivers is causing severe damage to the environment. Not only that, sand is also being extracted for quarrying stones, which is illegal. The laborers of the underprivileged families along the riverside are often subjected to massive oppression in their violence.
According to the memorandum, the District Balumhal Management Committee leased some parts of the Jadukata River during the previous Awami League government by implementing the Matibalu Act 2010/2011. Although the terms and conditions stipulate only soil-sand extraction, the lessees illegally extract sand and stone without paying the government price, VAT, income tax or any revenue. The government loses a huge amount of revenue due to this. On the other hand, the vicious circle grabs crores of wealth, which is ongoing. This lease should be canceled immediately in the interest of the country.