Illegal kilns pay Tk 12.3m in fines

Mobile courts were conducted across districts on Wednesday to take action against illegal brick kilns.

Eleven courts were operated in Kurigram, Dinajpur, Tangail, Meherpur, Madaripur, Chandpur, Gaibandha, Feni, Bandarban and Dhamrai of Dhaka.

The mobile court operations led to 39 cases, resulting in the collection of fines amounting to Tk 12.3 million.

Additionally, 14 brick kilns were demolished to completely shut down their operations, while strict orders were issued to close 14 others. The same day, mobile courts were conducted in Aftabnagar and Lalbagh of Dhaka for air pollution caused by construction materials.

Two drives, under the Air Pollution Control Regulations 2022, resulted in six cases and the realisation of Tk 43,000 in fines.

Several business owners were also given a strongly worded warning, according to the environment ministry.

Furthermore, two mobile courts were conducted in Jashore and Netrakona against the production, sale and distribution of banned polythene.

These drives led to two cases, with fines totalling Tk 21,000. An estimated 96 kg of illegal polythene was seized countrywide, and shop owners were warned against polythene production and marketing.

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