ACC finds irregularities, graft in stone extraction in Panchagarh
FE Report | Monday, 18 February 2019
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) unearthed on Saturday evidence of massive irregularities and graft in extraction of stones from Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh.
The commission through its hotline-106 received a complaint that a powerful syndicate, damaging the environment, has been extracting stones worth millions of taka after bribing some government officials.
Acting on the information, a five-member ACC team led by the commission's Dinajpur office assistant director Ehsanul Haque Palash went to Tetulia on a sudden visit.
The team collected required information on dishonest government officials who have received bribes and the people involved in illegal stone extraction.
They also consulted the local Upazila Parishad officials about the matter.
ACC sources told the FE that the anti-graft body has found evidence of illegal transaction of Tk 5.0 million between the syndicate and some local government officials.
Talking about the incident, ACC director general (admin) Muhammad Munir Chowdhury said the commission has been on the field to stop the destruction of the environment.
Due to illegal stone extraction, he said, not only the environment is affected but a vast area in Tetulia is also on the threat of landslide.