Panchagarh, Feb 28 (V7N) — State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad has said the government has declared “zero tolerance” toward corruption in implementing the Prime Minister’s initiatives and is taking steps to restore public confidence in the Water Development Board.

He made the remarks while inspecting canal re-excavation work in the Dulal Toli Dam area of Boda Municipality on Saturday afternoon.

The state minister acknowledged that past irregularities had created a negative perception about the Water Development Board and said a special excavation program has been launched to change that image. According to him, river, canal and water body excavation will be carried out for six to seven months—from February to April or May—so that work can be completed before the monsoon. Except for emergencies, no excavation will be done during the rainy season, nor will blocks be placed in waterways, he added.

Farhad Hossain Azad expressed optimism that the ministry’s long-term action plan would ensure sustainable implementation of projects and set a standard for future governments.

Referring to historical initiatives, he noted that a canal excavation program launched by Ziaur Rahman in 1980 had gradually disappeared due to siltation and encroachment. He said the current government, in line with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s election pledge, has begun work with a target of re-excavating 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals nationwide.

Local officials, including Boda Upazila Executive Officer Rabiul Islam and Water Development Board Executive Engineer Ashutosh Barman, along with law-enforcement officials, political leaders and residents, were present during the inspection.

END/SMA/AJ