Seven new illegalbrick kilnswere established in Mirzapurupazila of Tangail district,disregarding the required permits. Preparations for brick firing have already been made as well.
SyedaRizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, directed the relevant department to take necessary action against illegal brick kilns, but no steps were taken so far even though 10 days have passed.
The newly established illegal brick kilns are RBC Bricks, MSB Bricks, and Bata Bricks in Bahuria village of Bahuria union,HUB Bricks in Chandulia village, Sony Bricks in DeohataMallikpara village of Gorai union, B&B Bricks in DeohataPathaliapara village, and Run Bricks in Deohata and Baimhati villages.
101 brick kilns were operational for brick production and firing until last year in Mirzapurupazila. Recently,seven more brick kilns were newly established on agricultural land without government approval. Preparations for brick production and firing are also completed at these brickfields, with large amounts of wood stockpiled as fuel for firing bricks.
Besides, electricity connections are being provided to these illegal brick kilns in violating the regulations. Each brick kiln is using 14 to 20 acres of agricultural land. It is also reported that the owners of the new brickfields own several other brickfields. SyedaRizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, visited a project site in Mirzapur on November 6.
When journalists questioned her about the illegal construction of brick kilns and the provision of electricity connections, she said that there is no opportunity to establish new brickfields.
She further said that electricity connections can be both legal and illegal, and without a holding number, it is not possible to obtain a legal electricity connection.
Deputy General Manager of the PalliBidyutMirzapur Zonal Office, Jasim Uddin, said electricity connections should not be provided without approval from the Deputy Commissioner's office. However, he added that he would investigate the matter and take necessary actions. Mia MahmudulHaque, Deputy Director of the Tangail Department of Environment, said that work has begun according to the advisor’s instructions.
ABM Ariful Islam, the UpazilaNirbahi Officer (UNO), said I have recently joined. I will look into the matter and take necessary action.
