Rajbari's M/s Amin Agro Farm Ltd. has been fined three lakh taka for violating the Environment Protection Act.
At the same time, their subsidiary Arnab Fertilizer has been declared closed. After a long hearing, the Environment Department announced the verdict in accordance with the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995 (amended 2010).
Recently, locals complained to various offices including the Department of Environment about M/s Amin Agro Farm Ltd. and its subsidiary Arnab Fertilizer in Rajbari. The announcement was made on Monday in light of the complaint. The verdict was not implemented until Wednesday as the letter was not officially received. The matter was confirmed by Rajbari District Environment Department Assistant Director Md. Harun-or-Rashid.
It is learnt that Md. Nurul Amin, a resident of Degreechar Chandpur area of Khankhapur union of Rajbari Sadar upazila, established an organic fertilizer factory called M/s. Amin Agro Farm Limited and M/s. Arnab Fertilizer in the area. But local residents filed a written complaint with the Rajbari Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO), Department of Environment and Livestock Department due to environmental pollution. In view of the complaint, the Department of Environment sent a report to the head office of the Department of Environment on April 10 after investigating the complaint.
In addition, in light of the complaint sent to the Rajbari Sadar UNO office, a four-member investigation committee headed by UNO Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Omar Faruk conducted an on-site investigation on April 30. The complainant party filed a complaint against the head of the investigation committee, Omar Faruk, for bias, so the UNO formed another four-member investigation committee.
Meanwhile, in the light of the complaint sent to the head office, allegations were raised of operating the business without renewing the locational/environmental clearance certificate. After hearing both sides on the investigation report sent and the information from the head office on July 7, a criminal offense was proven against Amin Agro Farm under the Environment Protection Act, 1995 (amended 2010). Later, a fine of three lakh taka was imposed as compensation for causing environmental and ecological damage in light of Section 7 of the Environment Protection Act, 1995 (amended 2010). Amin Agro Farm was instructed to operate the business by taking pollution control measures and renewing the clearance certificate. At the same time, instructions were given to close Arnab Fertilizer from that day (July 7).
Assistant Director of the Environment Department, Rajbari, Md. Harun-or-Rashid said on Wednesday afternoon that after hearing both sides at the department's head office on July 7, Messrs. Amin Agro Farm was fined Tk 3 lakh. The fine can be paid in one go or in installments at the head office. However, it is not known whether the fine has been paid or not. In addition, Arnab Fertilizer (organic fertilizer factory) was ordered to close.
A message regarding this came to my inspector's mobile phone WhatsApp. But I did not receive any official letter. Action will be taken soon after the on-site inspection.
