DHAKA: The government has asked the deputy commissioners not to allocate the land of river even there is political pressure.

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud made the assertion while addressing concluding session of the three-day conference of the DCs.

Shahjahan Khan said they ordered the DCs not to allocate the land without permission and even asked to avoid political pressure to avert river grabbing and pollution.

Anisul Islam said the ministry had to take several project of several thousands crore taka which could be saved if the rivers were pollution free.

Apprehending that the rivers of Bangladesh would be grabbed and polluted after 15/16 years, he said that would cost several lakhs crores in this regards.

The DCs were ordered to keep transparency in land lease of water development board and keep the ministry informed if they face any political pressure.

BDST: 1645 HRS, JUL 10, 2014