Minister asks land officials to submit wealth info by Feb 28

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 12 (UNB): Newly-appointed Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury ordered all officials of his ministry on Saturday to submit their wealth statements within the next month.

"The Land Ministry will be brought under the purview of accountability and freed from corruption," he told journalists at the city's Press Club.

"I will pay abrupt visits to prevent public harassment, bribery and corruption at different land offices," he said.

Soon after taking charge, the minister told officials that he would not tolerate corruption and that a two-year plan would be adopted for the ministry's development.

Saifuzzaman on Saturday said land clearance for big projects including bay-terminal, Karnaphuli tunnel, Dhaka-Chattogram Railway and economic zones would get priority.

"Illegal establishments along the river banks will be cleared. No one will be spared," he said.