RAJSHAHI, April 18, (V7N) — Rajshahi City Corporation has held a meeting to exchange views on tree plantation, mosquito control and cleanliness activities ahead of Eid‑ul‑Azha. The meeting, presided over by Administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, took place at the City Hall of Nagar Bhaban. In his speech, Riton emphasized ensuring overall cleanliness, strengthening mosquito control measures, and implementing a massive tree plantation program during the festival. He urged all concerned to work with sincerity and responsibility.

The administrator said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had entrusted him with the responsibility of improving the environment of Rajshahi, known as a green and clean metropolis. He noted that a 15‑day fogger machine spray program had already been conducted, drains were being cleaned in every ward, and preparations were underway to distribute bags for sacrificial waste collection and install street lights. He added that a large‑scale tree plantation program would begin before the next monsoon season.

The meeting was addressed by Chief Executive Officer Md. Rezaul Karim, Chief Cleaning Officer Sheikh Md. Mamun Dollar, Acting Superintending Engineer Ahmed Al Moin Parag, and Secretary Md. Sohel Rana. Ward secretaries, supervisors, and inspectors from 30 wards were also present.

Meanwhile, in Tanore upazila, hundreds of boro fields are at risk due to irregular irrigation. Farmers in Chaksajuria mouza of Kamargram union complained that operator negligence had left their fields dry at a critical stage. Despite paying Tk 1,500 per bigha for irrigation, they alleged that water was not supplied on time, leaving soil cracked and paddy leaves yellowing.

Farmers said they had invested Tk 16,000–18,000 per bigha in cultivation, but without timely irrigation, their crops may fail. They accused operator Roni Islam of halting water supply and claimed that a local BNP leader’s deep tube well was not providing adequate water. Around 30–35 bighas of land under a 250‑bigha scheme have already dried up.

Roni Islam denied the allegations, saying irrigation was continuing across more than 200 bighas and only a few plots had faced minor issues. Tanore BMDA Assistant Engineer Naimul Hasan said operators are obliged to provide irrigation and farmers should immediately report negligence to the office for strict action.

In Bagmara upazila, farmers have accused Nazibur Rahman, vice‑president of BNP Ward No. 3 of Yogipara Union, of illegally occupying a deep tube well installed by the Barendra Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Complaints signed by 89 farmers were submitted to the BMDA Bagmara Zone and the local MP, demanding its rescue from encroachment.

Farmers alleged that Nazibur Rahman, along with local AL leaders Kamal Hossain and Abdul Khalek, was charging extra irrigation fees and taking one‑fourth of their paddy harvest during the Boro and Aush seasons. They said this had caused significant losses.

Nazibur Rahman denied the allegations, claiming the tube well was being operated according to BMDA rules. Deputy Assistant Engineer Saiful Islam Ujjal of BMDA Bagmara Zone said the matter would be investigated.

These developments highlight the dual challenges of urban cleanliness and irrigation disputes in Rajshahi district, reflecting both city management priorities and rural agricultural concerns.

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