Some ruling party men are lifting sand from the Padma and Gorai rivers at 21 spots in five upazilas of Kushtia district, defying the law.
The 21 spots are located in different areas of Sadar, Bheramara, Mirpur, Kumarkhali and Khoksha upazilas.
According to sources, in connivance with a section of dishonest officials of the BIWTA and local influential people, the party men are illegally lifting sand, depriving the government of earning huge revenue.
The district administration could not float tender due to writs filed with the High Court by the influential people.
Taking advantage of the situation, huge quantity of sand is being lifted illegally and sold in those upazilas.
The district administration called lease for the last time in 2008.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Syed Belal Hossain sent several letters to the authorities seeking intervention for settling the writs immediately.
Sources said criminals and the influential groups were threatening the DC as he had taken initiatives for reclaiming the spots.
The High Court recently cancelled the writs and ordered the concerned upazila administrations to take control of the spots.
Later, the petitioners filed appeals with the Supreme Court.
Anwarul Haque Masum, who claims himself as legal lease-holder of a spot, said; “I am the only person who has taken permission from the BIWTA for lifting 30 lakh cubic feet sand.”
When asked how much time would be needed for lifting the sand, he did not reply. The DC said the spots would be given lease after settling the writs.
