Desk Report:
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said, the canal digging program was started by Martyr President Ziaur Rahman. Standing in the 21st century, you and I cannot think about the food problem, shortage, and plight of farmers in post-independence Bangladesh. In post-independence Bangladesh, crops were harvested once a year. There was constant poverty and hardship in the farmers’ homes.
On the one hand, Martyr President Ziaur Rahman made arrangements to retain irrigation water throughout the year through the canal digging program, and on the other hand, he provided electricity to the villages through the Rural Electrification Board. As a result of the electricity connection, it was possible to make necessary irrigation arrangements in the land. As a result, the land that used to produce crops once started producing crops two to three times.
He said this while delivering his speech as the chief guest at the inauguration of the re-excavation of Buruli Canal as part of the nationwide river, canal, and reservoir excavation and re-excavation program at the Buruli School and College premises in Gourighona Union of Keshabpur Upazila of Jessore district on Saturday (March 28, 2026).
The State Minister said that the late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia waived off agricultural loans of Tk 5,000 with interest to farmers in 1991. In continuation of this, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has waived off Tk 10,000 agricultural loans. On behalf of the Prime Minister, we are working as a symbol of alleviating the suffering of the people submerged in waterlogging.
He said, we have come to light the light of hope. We have come to give this message – Tarique Rahman’s government sympathizes with the suffering of the people of this region. We want to find a permanent solution to the suffering of the people of this region.
He also said that the previous governments have filled their pockets in the name of development. Re-excavation work is underway on various canals (81.05 kilometers) including Tekanadi, Sri, Harion, Kharian and Aparbhadra, including the main drainage rivers of Bhabadah area. At the same time, excavation work is underway on 21 canals. The infrastructure for water drainage is being repaired or replaced and made operational.
At the same time, necessary measures have been taken to drain water by opening 21 regulators and 17 gates in Bhabadah in view of the upcoming monsoon season.
The program, chaired by Jessore Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashek Hasan, was attended by Police Superintendent Syed Rafiqul Islam, Jessore District BNP President Advocate Syed Saberul Haque Khan Sabu, District Council Administrator Md. Delwar Hossain Khan, Upazila BNP President Md. Abul Hossain Azad, Project Director for Waterlogging Relief Lt. Colonel Mamunur Rashid, Assistant Professor of Keshabpur Government Degree College Md. Zulmat Ali and Journalist M. A. Halim delivered the speech.
Executive Engineer of Jessore Water Development Board Palash Kumar Banerjee delivered the welcome speech. Upazila Executive Officer Reksona Khatun, President of Jessore Press Club Md. Zahid Hasan Tuku and local dignitaries were present at the time.
It is worth noting that the cost of digging the nine and a half kilometer canal will be Tk 1 crore 34 lakh. The work is scheduled to be completed in June 2026.
