Over half of Rajshahi brick kilns illegal

At least 1,144 out of the 2,000 brick kilns in Rajshahi division are running without environmental approval, anti-graft officials found yesterday.

A three-member team of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) led by local deputy director Md Anwarul Haq conducted a drive at Rajshahi divisional office of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Bogura, and found 11 out of total 20 environment officials absent from work.

The anti-graft officials conducted the drive after local businessman including brick kiln owners complained of bribery and harassment by DoE officials while obtaining environmental clearances.

“Corruption related to environmental clearance undermines environmental governance and it would be prevented firmly,” said Mohammad Munir Chowdhury, ACC director general and lead coordinator of the enforcement drive.