Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 31 Sun. June 27, 2004  
   
National


KCC-KDA stand-off over 3 prime revenue sources
KCC revenue declines 40 percent due to "alarming" rise in extortion, mayor says


Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and Khulna Development Authority (KDA) are now at loggerheads, creating a deadlock in development activities.

City Mayor Shaikh Tayebur has claimed his "RCC right" over three important installations controlled by KDA. These are Sonadanga bus terminal, Rupsha New market and KDA New Market.

KCC says KDA New Market, Rupsha New Market and Sonadanga bus terminal have been constructed by KDA. According to terms and conditions, KDA was bound to handover the three installations to KCC as those were built on the land given by KCC on condition.

But KDA seems to be determined not to hand over those to KCC as "there is no provision like that in the agreement with KCC".

The KCC Mayer wrote a letter on April 10 to LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan complaining against KDA for illegal possession of the three installations. He sought the minister's intervention to compel KDA to "comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement by handing over Sonadenga bus terminal, KDA New market and Rupsha New Market".

The Mayor also wrote another latter to Hosing and Works Minister Mirza Abbas seeking his intervention to resolve the dispute.

Mirza Abbas asked the secretary of the ministry to submit a report on the matter after a probe.

The probe report submitted to Mirza Abbas by Deputy Secretary (Admn-2) Mohammod Mahbubur Rahmen said "there is no scope for handing over the three installations to KCC as KDA is not bound to do that".

The Mayor, on the other hand, is also firm to "fight to realise KCC's legitimate right to control the three installations with full authority".

He said KCC is in financial crisis after losing sources of revenue due to closure of the Khulna Newsprint Mill and Hard Board Mill, Textile Mill and Daulatpur Jute Mill.

"I do not hesitate to say that trade activities have declined greatly in the metropolitan city due to alarming rise in terrorist activities and toll collection. As a result, KCC revenue earnings have declined by 40 per cent", the Mayor said.