Conflict between three organizations over the control of 21 ghats in Khulna.

Md. Shamim Hossain –

Khulna In Khulna, a conflict has started between three government agencies over the control of 21 ghats, which generate billions of rupees in revenue. Khulna City Corporation (KCC) wants to take control of 7 ghats currently in the possession of Zilla Parishad and 13 ghats in the possession of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) from next Pahela Boishakh. And those two organizations are not willing to give up the control of the ghats. On the other hand, the district council has invited tenders for the lease of a ghat under the control of KCC. According to the related sources, Khulna Zilla Parishad invited tenders for the lease of 16 Kheyaghats on February 12. But among those 16 ghats, Rupsa Kheyaghat has been managed by Khulna City Corporation for a long time. February 28 is the date for submission of tenders. KCC is fuming with anger because the Zilla Parishad has invited tenders for the lease of Rupsa Kheyaghat under the control of KCC. Meanwhile, KCC Mayor and Metropolitan Awami League President Talukder Abdul Khalek has strongly protested this in a newspaper statement. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of KCC Laskar Tajul Islam gave a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad on February 19. In that letter, it has been called to stop the leasing or settlement activities of the ghats under the control of the district council within the city corporation area. According to the letter, the ghats and ghat roads are renovated and maintained by KCC. That is why it is advisable that the ghats be managed by KCC. The ghats are – Daulatpur Old Steamer Ghat, Daulatpur Mahesh^rapasha Ghat, Daulatpur Barmasel Ghat, Daulatpur Bazar Ghat, No. 1 Customs Ghat Kheyaghat, Battala Ghat adjacent to Jail and Kalibari Kheyaghat. On the same day, the CEO of KCC sent a similar letter to BIWTA’s senior deputy director requesting that the ghats under their control not be given lease from next Pahela Baisakh. The ghats are- Maheswarpasha Food Warehouse Jet Ghat, Daulatpur Taburia Ghat, Rupsa Chanmari Cargo and Labor Ghat, Ispahani Colony Ghat, Rupsa New Bazaar Ghat, Rupsa New Bazaar Launch Ghat, Sadar Hospital Ghat, Bhairab Stand Road Cargo and Labor Handling Ghat, Marwari Gate Kheyaghat, Burmashil Kheyaghat, Bara Bazar Dabghat, Charerhat Kheyaghat and No. 6 Skidghat. In this regard, KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek said, 7 ghats under the control of the Zilla Parishad and 13 ghats under the control of BIWTA will be taken under the control of the City Corporation from next Pahela Boishakh. The city corporation will renovate the ghat and adjacent roads, spending money and those two companies will only earn from leases – it will not happen. He said that KCC has renovated Rupsa Ghat at a cost of about 25 crores. They have been renovating and maintaining the ghat for a long time. As a result, the Zilla Parishad’s call for tenders for the lease of this ghat is illegal. In this regard, Mahbubur Rahman, administrative officer of Khulna Zilla Parishad, said that if any organization wants to take the ghat under their management outside of the rules, there is no opportunity. Why should they leave their Ghat City Corporation? In response to a question, he said, legally, the ownership of Rupsa Ghat belongs to the Zilla Parishad. The wharf was operated by KCC due to the High Court case. After getting the verdict from the court, they called the tender for the lease of the ghat. District Council Chairman and District Awami League President Sheikh Harunur Rashid said that he and the City Mayor belong to the same party. However, the ghats are no one’s personal matter. Everything will be according to the rules. In this regard, Senior Deputy Director of BIWTA Masud Parvez said, they manage the ghats in the light of government guidelines. As a result, there is no opportunity to do so if any organization asks to close the ghat lease. They will conduct the activities according to the instructions given by the head office of BIWTA.

Project notification meeting at Dakope in Khulna at the initiative of Sushilan.

Md. Shamim Hossain-

Khulna A project briefing meeting was held at Dakop, Khulna, to create a climate resilient society through economic empowerment of people dependent on the Sundarbans, capacity building to reduce climate change risks, finding alternative livelihoods, leadership development and education. On Tuesday at 11:00 in the Upazila Parishad Auditorium, under the chairmanship of UNO Mintu Biswas, the government, private, civil society representatives, representatives of civil society, elected public representatives and the beneficiary leaders related to the project said that the aim of this project is to find an alternative livelihood for the people who depend on the Sundarbans, protect the resources of the Sundarbans, food. Assisting in security and economic empowerment, strengthening the government’s plans and improving the quality of life of people dependent on the Sundarbans by spending the government’s own money, empowering women in coastal areas and supporting women’s leadership development, increasing the capacity and efficiency of Sundarbans resource management of dependent people in coastal areas, resources of the Sundarbans Advocacy meetings at the policy-making level in management and implementation of afforestation programs in fallow pastures. Upazila Parishad Chairman Munsur Ali Khan was present as the chief guest in the event. Sushilan Assistant Director and Project Focal Shahina Parveen and Project Coordinator Md Mujahidul Islam spoke at the discussion meeting held in the brief presentation of Dakop Thana Police Officer-in-Charge Ujjal Kumar Dutta, Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman Goupada Bachar, Project Implementation Officer Sheikh Abdul Quader, Women Affairs Officer Suraiya Siddika, Youth Development Officer Md. Amjad Hossain, UP Chairman Panchanan Kumar Mondal, UP Chairman Sudev Kumar Roy, Former Press Club General Secretary KM Azgar Hossain Chhabbir, Sushilan Upazila Manager and Facilitator Roshanara Khatun, UP member civil society leaders and beneficiaries.