Form separate authority on land management: PM

Worried at the fast shrinking of arable land, Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina asked Wednesday the authorities concerned to form a separate authority to oversee the proper management of land up to upazila (UZ) level, report agencies.

In her introductory speech at the first meeting of the National Land Use Commi-ttee held at her office, she also asked all concerned to make sure that no industry or house is built on arable and forest lands.

PM's press secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri briefed journalists after the meeting, held with the Prime Minister in the chair.

Sheikh Hasina said proper and planned use of land needs to be ensured to boost food production and ensure food security so that people are largely benefited.

She said industrial estates, industries and houses should not be built on arable land while the environment and water bodies should have to be protected through proper land management.

Hasina bemoaned that there has been little planned urbanisation in the country over the years, causing gradual shrinking of arable land.

The PM also emphasized on accommodating all the affiliated bodies, including Departments and Directo-rates, on the same compound of any Ministry to save land.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Hasina prayed for the eternal peace of those who were killed during the BDR carnage at city's Peelkhana on February 25-26, 2009.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over Wednesday cheques as financial assistance among the owners of bus, truck and other vehicles who have been affected in the ongoing hartal and blockade programmes enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

The PM distributed cheques for Tk 42.06 million (Tk 42,065,000) among 146 owners of the 156 vehicles in the first phase at her Tejgaon office in the city.

Out of the financial assistance, one owner has been given highest Tk 1.0 million as the financial assistance for the damage of his or her vehicle.

Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader said some 1,800 vehicles, including buses and trucks, were burned or vandalised by BNP-Jamaat men since January during the ongoing hartal and blockade.

In the first phase, some 146 owners of 156 vehicles were given financial assistance by the PM for the damage of their vehicles, "The rest of the affected owners would also be given financial help in phases," Quader added.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, PM's Advisers HT Imam and Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Moshiur Rahman Ranga, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Suraiya Begum, Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowduri and President of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Malik Samity K Enayet Ullah were present on the occasion.