91st meeting of Committee for Leasing Govt Jalmahals held
Staff Correspondent
The 91st meeting of the committee for leasing government water bodies, or jalmahals, was held on Thursday at Ministry of Land conference room under the chairmanship of Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu.
State Minister for Land Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and Senior Secretary A. S. M. Saleh Ahmed also attended the meeting.
Emphasizing that jalmahals are public assets, the Land Minister stressed the importance of balancing government revenue generation with humane, equitable management to protect the environment and support impoverished livelihoods.
He directed officials to strictly follow existing policies and uphold the principle that water bodies belong to those who use them. State Minister Barrister Helal Uddin further instructed authorities to consult local lawmakers and update disproportionate lease values to maximize state revenue.
During the session, the committee reviewed and approved proposals across several districts, clearing 9 out of 12 jalmahals in Kishoreganj, 6 out of 12 in Khulna, 20 out of 30 in Habiganj, and 43 out of 54 in Sunamganj.
A proposal to open 23 jalmahals in Pabna for public use was also approved. Officials were directed to conduct further scrutiny or issue re-lease notices for remaining proposals where values were deemed inadequate.
Ministry officials and department heads attended the meeting, while Deputy Commissioners from the respective districts participated online.
