Desk Report:
Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu said that the interests of genuine fishermen will be protected in the lease of government water reservoirs in the country. He said this as the chief guest at a workshop titled Finalizing the Draft of Government Water Reservoir Act-2026 at the Sunamganj Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Saturday (April 04, 2026).
The Land Minister said that BNP is the people’s government. It will always work for the people. Therefore, along with all other issues, the government is always striving to protect the interests of genuine fishermen. He said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has formed the government with the love of the people of the country and with the public opinion. The main goal of the government is to protect the interests of the people.
The Land Minister said that keeping in mind the goal of ‘whoever catches the net, owns the water’, in the future, water reservoir leases will be granted keeping in mind the interests of the country’s genuine fishermen. Flowing rivers will never come under lease. He instructed all concerned to be vigilant so that no middleman sitting outside the capital or the country can destroy the rights of real fishermen. He also said that everyone should be careful so that no one can spread extremism. We have built this land, this country together, and the religious bond between us is strong. We all have to move the country forward together, strengthened by honesty, devotion and patriotism.
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin said that under this law, priority should be ensured for real fishermen and the list should be reviewed to include the real beneficiaries and above all, it should be ensured that they get more benefits. He instructed the concerned officials to ensure that the real picture of the field emerges in the granting of leases and that recommendations are sent to the ministry based on the opinions of local public representatives so that the real beneficiaries are included.
The workshop, chaired by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Lands ASM Saleh Ahmed, was attended by local MPs, senior administration officials, BEL and TIB representatives. Fishermen, NGOs and media representatives also presented their views at the workshop.
Later, the Land Minister exchanged views with leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organizations at the Circuit House. Local MPs Kalimuddin Ahmed, Kaysar Ahmed and Kamruzzaman Kamrul were present at the event.
