The government has cancelled allocation of 'khas land' to Surer Dhara, a music school founded by eminent musician Rezwana Choudhury Bannya.
The decision was disclosed through a letter signed by Md Aminur Rahman, deputy secretary of the Khas Land-1 Branch under the land ministry, on Thursday.
The letter reads that the land settlement in favour of Surer Dhara's Chairman and Principal Rezwana Choudhury Bannya has been cancelled as it (land) is classified as 'khal' (canal).
The land located in Ramchandrapur Mouza under Mohammadpur Police Station in Dhaka was originally approved for long-term settlement to Surer Dhara.
The total land area is 0.5120 acres. However, the settlement has been cancelled as the land is classified as 'Khal' (canal) in the CS and RS records.
Controversy arose after it was revealed that the previous government granted the land in Lalmatia of the capital to Surer Dhara.
An allegation is rife that the land adjacent to Mohammadpur Embankment was allotted to Rezwana for 99 years, showing it as residential land by using former Prime Minister Hasina's influence.
Meanwhile, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan told a discussion on Thursday that a comprehensive plan is underway to free Dhaka's canals from encroachment and pollution.
"For this purpose, a working group has been formed with the additional deputy commissioner (revenue) of Dhaka District serving as its convener."
They would organise a workshop to draft an initial action plan, and the finalised plan would be submitted to the ministry by November 30, she added.
She states that the government is giving utmost priority to environmental protection.
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