Special Correspondent & Saidul Islam Abir:

Believe it or not, however it is truth that, environmental clearances are available here just if you have money.

Such allegation has intensified around the Environment Department in Sirajganj due to its some controversial activities which have now turned into a matter of much discussion across the district.

Showing thumb to all terms and conditions, a section of unscrupulous officials of the Environment Department have got down in the trade of providing clearance certificates in exchange of money.

There have been serious allegations that some unscrupulous officials of the Department of Environment have started the business of issuing clearances in exchange for money, violating all the conditions, which no one is able to stop.

On the other hand, when any complaint is received regarding these matters, the officials capitalize on that complaint and start playing ‘Rat and Cat’ game in the name of one investigation after another and they grab huge amounts of money on various pretexts. Not only that, it is alleged that, they also adopt various strategies to legitimize illegal institutions in exchange for money.

Breaching all the records of corruption, providing such environmental clearance to an auto-rice mill in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district by the environment department has recently set up an important example for the locals.

Despite several allegations, Messrs Riya Auto-rice Mill, many known as Bismillah Auto Processing Mill, has been set up on around four decimal arable lands in Chandaikona nearby Sarker Bari under Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district violating all terms and conditions.  The mill has now become a tumor for the local residents, they claimed.

There are some provisions in context of setting up such mills as well as providing clearance certificate by the environment Department. But none of the terms and conditions was complied while it was set up.

In preliminarily, the Riya Auto-rice Mill was set up on arable land and beside a government primary school, located between 70 feet distance.

After installation of the auto-rice mill beside a general rice drying and processing mill, locally called ‘Chatal’, production of crops on the neighboring lands has fallen in trouble. Besides, students and teachers of the Chandaikona Model Government Primary School have been facing manifold problems including getting affected with various diseases like skin infection, cough and asthma due to pollution of the mill.

Experts said, smoke and dusts come out from the mill pose serious health hazard. Due to living in such smoky and dirty environment for long time, human may be affected with various chronic diseases like cancer.

Kamruzzaman Kazol, Headmaster of Chandaikona Model Government Primary School told The Daily Sky that, “I cannot imagine, how the authorities, especially the Environment Department, despite multiple complaints and even a High Court ban, would grant clearance or approval to operate such a mill located so close to an educational institution.”

“Due to smoke, dusts and small particles of paddy husk come out from the mill; academic activities of the school are being hampered drastically. Students and teachers are falling into sick one after another. Many are being affected with various diseases including skin infection and asthma. Clothes of the students and teachers are getting dirty regularly during school time. They can’t take breathe smoothly. But, none of the authorities concerned is paying heed to our complaints. They are ignoring our allegations terming it a family feud between two groups of people, which frustrating us seriously. Besides, they are passing time in the name of various investigations. So, we have nothing to say, where we will go for fair justice in this regard,” he said.

Small students also expressed similar view of frustration.

Local residents said, influential people numbering 14 to 15 persons including Abdur Rauf Sarker, Shahidul Islam, Tipu Aziz, Kamrul Islam Bablu, Prince Babu, Bablu Akanda and Anwarul Islam have established the Riya Auto-rice Mill on the arable land (three time crop producing land) beside the populated area. Due to mill’s waste and dirty poisonous water, which are entering into their croplands, farmers are not getting now expected production of crops.

File Photo

During a spot visit, this correspondent found that, mill are being operated without any ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant). ETP is basically one type of waste water treatment method which is particularly designed to purify industrial waste water for its reuse and its aim is to release safe water to environment from the harmful effect caused by the effluent. Not only that, there is no designated pond or water reservoir without a little ditch. The ditch is completely unable to preserve adequate waste water.

Even there is no dust collector in the mill and no boundary wall outside the mill. As a result, dust and rice husk of the mill are being spread out easily in and surrounding areas that polluting local environment severely. It is very difficult to take breathe without mask. However, some 15 to 16 workers were seen working in the mill without any mask or hand gloves. More surprising matter is that, the workers are not aware about their health risks and necessary tests.

Elite people of the area expressed their agony and asked how the mill authorities generated Environment Clearance even after so many obligations.

There is an allegation that, Environment Department issued an environmental clearance in favour of the Riya Auto-rice Mill on March 20, 2024 showing thumb to the terms and conditions and even several written allegations submitted by the locals. The department also tactfully avoided the obligations and allegations, and asked the mill authorities to follow some criteria attached with the clearance that was issued with a time limit for March 19, 2025. The valid date has already expired.

The matter is not ended here. There are more surprises. The Environment Department through a hearing on May 24 last over a written allegation fined Tk 1 lakh to the mill authorities as compensation for the people, who lost their crops due to waste of the mill.

Elite people seem that, the fine, imposed by the Environment Department, is the clear evidence of the mill’s pollution. But, they also expressed sorrow and dissatisfaction about the mysterious role of the authorities as they are yet to take any step to stop operation of the mill or shifting the mill to elsewhere.

A reliable source said, Abdul Gafur, the then Assistant Director (AD) of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Sirajganj, who currently is serving at its Pabna office after transferring, was the main among others behind providing environmental clearance to the Riya Auto-rice Mill in exchange of Tk 11 lakh as bribe.

One of the complainants said, Gafur did not take any step to stop the operation of pollutant mill or transfer it to safer zone despite several allegations and valid conditions’ violation. In contrary, he arranged all to provide clearance certificate which is considered as a big hindrance in the prevention of environmental pollution. Such corruption is also another great obstruction on the way of the incumbent government reform process.

While contacted, Tuhin Alam, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment in Sirajganj declined to make any comment in this regard and requested to talk with his senior officer Saiful Islam, DD of Bogura office. He also provided his contact number for taking his comment in this regard.

Saiful Islam, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment for the Rajshahi regional office in Bogura, who visited the mill site recently as a part of his inspection, told The Daily Sky that, “I have visited the mill and neighboring school. Suffering of the small students and their teachers is not avoidable. Crops are being damaged partially. But, I have nothing to do here as all the processes for providing such clearance were maintained by our top authorities. There was pressure of the recently ousted government’s kingpins, where I had no power to handle. However, I have asked the mill authorities to follow the rules to continue the operation.”

He also expressed his disability over submitting investigation report on shifting of the mill to elsewhere or shut down its operation saying that, many top and influential authorities are involved with it. This is why, he alone can’t do it. There is needed political will to take proper action in this regard, he hints.

While contacted over cell phone on Wednesday, Abdul Gafur, the then Assistant Director (AD) of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Sirajganj showing his arrogance said that, “What’s your problem? Such ten to twenty allegations of irregularities and corruption are not matter for any government officer like me.”

He also advices this journalist to submit RTI prayer for details or any more query. Otherwise, he is not bound to say something about the allegations, he speak with pride.

Prince Babu, one of the 15 partners of the Riya Auto-rice Mill said, “Firstly, we built this mill on cropland without changing the size or pattern of the land. Later, on the advice of the concerned senior officials, a certificate regarding the change in the class or category of the land was recently obtained from the district administration. As per their advices, we have also collected other certificates from different departments like Fire Service, Explosives Department and Food Department. Even though there is no dust collector, we are trying to prevent dust with a net. We have also collected permission to dig a pond here. No matter how many obstacles there are, the documents are now 100 percent ready. So, no matter how many problems people have, no one can ask us to close the mill or shift it somewhere else. Because, the authorities are now in our hands.

Like the Riya Auto-rice Mill, many other rice mills including Rohan Auto-rice Mill, owned by Abdus Samad and Joba Auto-rice Mill, owned by Hafizur Rahman have been established in the arable land in Chandaikona area after managing some unscrupulous officials of the authorities concerned including Environment Department. Mostly are running despite HC ban.

Locals urged the interference of Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan to cancel the clearance certificate of the Riya Auto-rice Mill and shift it to an appropriate place. Besides, they demanded exemplary punishment against the involved officials including Abdul Gafur for providing such clearance certificates in exchange of money or bribe. The villagers also warned to go for tougher agitation, if action is not taken in this regard shortly.