Gofran Biswas Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

Awami League leaders, former councilors and many influential peoples' name in the list of outstanding crore taka water bill of Kalapara Municipality of Patuakhali. Due to non-payment of dues despite repeated notices from the municipality and miking, the municipal administration is talking about taking action as per the law and rules, including conducting disconnection operations soon.

According to the sources, the holding tax of the municipality is also due to the influential people of 31 lakh 40 thousand 287 taka. This is how the municipality's activities have collapsed due to the corruption and nepotism of former mayors in development activities and recruitment of manpower. Several roads in the city have become unusable.

Dengue mosquito infestation is increasing due to non-cleaning of drains and reservoirs. Cows and goats are throwing rubbish from dustbins on the road. Citizens are forced to walk with the stench. Apart from this, as there are no lights on the roads, thefts and robberies have increased in the city at night. Most of the day there is no water in the water supply line. Since the removal of the mayor, councilors, the civic service program of the municipality has collapsed due to lack of accountability.

Md. Alamgir Hossain, bill Clark of the municipal water department, said that the number of customers of the water branch of the 1st class municipality is 4 thousand 725. Among them, 10 units of water bill waiver per person for 30 brave freedom fighters. Besides, 152 water lines have been disconnected.

Alamgir Hossain also said that we have miked in the city along with giving notice to the customers to collect the outstanding bill of 74 lakh 14 thousand 431 taka of the water branch.

Even after disconnecting 9 connections due to non-payment of dues for many years, some influential people are using water illegally. Among them, Qutub Uddin of Ward No. 4 and Monir Bepari of Ward No. 6, we have become helpless.

Md. Aliullah, Deputy Assistant Engineer in charge of municipal water department, said that 600 customers of the municipality owe outstanding bills of the water branch.

Among them, 78 thousand 8 hundred and 16 taka are due in the name of Mojibun Nesha Lovely Begum in the residence of two former brothers of Ward No. 3 and 4, Councilor Zuku-Khalid. Upazila Awami League Joint Secretary Professor Shahidul Alam 43 thousand 188 taka. 20 thousand 31 taka to Sabuj Mia, husband of Awami League leader and former women councilor Rozina Akhtar. 37 thousand 640 taka to Awamileague minded teacher leader Mahmudul Alam Palash. Md. Sirajul Haque Munshi owes Tk 43 thousand 1 hundred and 4 taka water bills.

Aliullah also said that we will soon conduct a disconnection operation to collect the outstanding dues on the instructions of the municipal administrator. Besides, legal action will be taken against those who are using water illegally even after disconnection.

Meanwhile, the water bill of the municipal council itself is 19 thousand 650 taka. 55 thousand 62 taka water bill owed to late Ruhul Amin, nephew of former state minister. 38 thousand 386 taka water bill due to late Munsur Ahmed of ward number 4.

Md. Rabiul Islam, Kalapara Municipal Administrator and UNO, said, 'Since taking charge as an administrator, I have started working with officials and employees to ensure citizen service. The process of issuing notices and miking for collection of outstanding water bills and municipal taxes is over. Now action will be taken according to law and rules.'

Md. Rabiul Islam also said, 'In order to keep the city clean, an initiative has been taken to set up a ditch to prevent the nuisance of cows and goats.