Fund constraints holding back project execution

Water Resources Minister Major (Retd) Hafij Uddin speaks at a press conference at the secretariat. PHOTO: STAR

"Personally, I am not happy with the budgetary allocation made for the water resources ministry in the Annual Development Programme for the next fiscal," he said.

"We could not carry out many important and emergency programmes every year because of inadequate budgetary allocation. Although the allocation in the ADP for next fiscal is a little higher than in the current fiscal, it is still not enough," Hafiz added.

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Moreover, lengthy approval process causes delay in implementing the projects, he said.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said proper implementation of the projects can help double food production and protect millions of people from river erosion.

Dismissing the criticism that the ministry is wasting money in the name of river protection and other projects, Hafiz said water management in Bangladesh is really tough and the projects seem expensive because of the nature of jobs performed.

The rivers damage vast areas along their banks as they become so furious while flowing towards the Bay after travelling thousands of miles, he added.

Hafiz said his ministry has been playing a key role in increasing agricultural output by improving irrigation efficiency, controlling floods and removing water-logging.

Food production went up to 2.50 crore metric tons at present time from 80 metric tons about 40 years ago, he said, adding that this year's food output will touch the 2.90 crore-ton mark.

The minister said the rivers have gobbled up about 8,700 hectares of land and seven to eight lakh people become homeless each year due to river erosion.

To check river erosion, the ministry has already completed projects in Rajshahi, Sirajganj, Chandpur and Bhairab Bazar, he said.

A number of projects are also being implemented to protect Sariakandi upazila of Bogra district from the erosion of river Jamuna.

The cities and towns of Khulna, Moulavibazar, Habiganj, Chapainwabganj, Dinajpur, Panchagarh and Kurigram have also been protected from river erosion under the secondary town flood protection project.

At present, the ministry has been implementing about 71 projects.

Hafiz said his ministry along with eight line ministries has prepared a draft law to stop encroachment of rivers and other water bodies and to preserve them.

A cabinet committee has also been formed to scrutinise the proposed law, he said and hoped that the law will be finalised within next three to four months.

Hafiz also said his ministry has taken up four irrigation and six FCDI projects involving Tk 4000 crore to meet the food deficit. The country presently spends Tk 2500 crore on import of 30 lakh metric tons of food.

The projects are Tista embankment project (2nd phase), Kurigram irrigation project (north and south units), Uttar Rajshahi irrigation project, Dhakkhin Comilla and Uttar Noakhali draining and irrigation projects, Upper Surma-Kushiara flood control, draining and irrigation project, Jamalpur flood protection, draining and irrigation project, Kalni-Kushiara river management project and rehabilitation of polders in coastal areas.

State Minister Goutam Chakrabarti, Secretary Ayub Quadri and other high officials of the ministry and its different departments were also present.