Faruk Ahmed, Magura: There have been allegations of various irregularities, including charging farmers extra money for providing water from the Chitra River through BADC irrigation pumps in the field of Gobra village in Shatkhali union of Shalikha upazila of Magura. On Sunday, July 20 at 2 pm, farmers Nurul Biswas, Iman Biswas, Shahidul Hossain, Humayun Kabir and many others from Gobra village in Shatkhali union of the upazila complained that more money was being demanded than the price fixed by the irrigation committee and that irrigation of their land was stopped if this additional money was not paid. In addition, many farmers are unable to cultivate their land due to non-distribution of water to their land.
The complaining farmers also said that since Saheb Ali and his brother Chan Ali Mia of Gobra village brought the BADC irrigation pump project, they have been holding the farmers of the area hostage and demanding additional money. They also said that in the past, Saheb Ali and his son Shakib and his brother Chan Mia have been taking money from the farmers as they wish by using their influence as leaders of the Awami League.
In this regard, when Saheb Ali and his brother Chan Mia of the BADC irrigation project pump in Gobra village went to the house of Saheb Ali and his brother Chan Mia, he left the house after realizing that journalists were present.
Magura District BADC Officer Assistant Engineer Md. Fazlul Haque said, I heard about Saheb Ali’s complaint and legal action will be taken subject to investigation.
