My thoughts on the 'City and Region Plan Act-2017'

Recently, the cabinet has given approval for the draft of the 'City and Region Plan Act 2017'. After being passed, this bill will make it mandatory for any kind of construction and development work on rural or urban land to take permission from the relevant authorities. 

Bangladesh is an agricultural country. In fact, many people's livelihoods depend on agriculture in Bangladesh – a bad harvest year can even result in deaths from hunger in poor families. Currently, these agricultural products are being hampered not only due to bad weather conditions, but also the erratic use of land. Agricultural land is being used for brick-kiln, prawn culture, and even residential and commercial construction. Trees are being sown in arable land suitable for food grain production. Surveys have revealed that the expanse of arable land, which was 2 Crore and 17 Lakh hectares in 1971, is now below 70 Lakh hectares. 

It is therefore a laudable step by the government to pass this bill now, but they must also ensure that people aren't harassed as a result of it. They must ensure that corrupt officials do not extort people for bribes in the name of permission fees. 

Iqbal Hossain
Retired Deputy Director
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka