Environment ministry standing committee holds first meeting

The first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was held on Saturday at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Committee Chairman and Jatiya Sangsad Whip G K Gaus chaired the meeting.

Committee members and Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, MPs Md Zahidul Islam Dhalu, Md Abdul Mannan and Sultana Jesmin attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed measures to control environmental pollution and stressed that ministry decisions should not harm the environment.

The committee recommended stopping bank financing for illegal brick kilns and decided to send a letter to Bangladesh Bank on the issue.

The Department of Environment was also directed to prepare a list of legal and illegal brick kilns across the country. The committee recommended using blocks instead of bricks in government infrastructure projects.

The ministry was asked to present details of 101 projects being implemented under the Climate Change Trust at the next meeting. The committee also sought details of how funds allocated to the ministry had been spent over the past 16 years.