Abdul Wadud, Moulvibazar

Baikka bill belonging to Hail Haor of Srimangal upazila of Moulvibazar is going on as usual. Even after 20 years of "Chapra Maguria Bill and Maduria Bill" (Baikka Bill) passed by the government, the government has so far lost billions of taka in revenue/tax due to looting. A report also found irregularities in the guards handling the bill, but they are still on probation.

It is known that in 2003, the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Resources brought the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Resources under the Abhay Ashram project to increase fish breeding and safe shelter of fish. It is being conducted under the supervision of an organization through the USAID-funded “MAS” project. Twenty years have passed so far, but no improvement has been seen in the bill. Officials of the department concerned said, "Those who are the defenders of this bill are now the eaters". By bringing the bill from that organization and going through the lease process, the government would get revenue of 30 lakh taka every year. As such, in 20 years, the govt didn’t get about 6 crore taka.

Baikka Bill Srimangal Upazila Kalapur Uniy Hajipur has been running the "Big Gangina Resource Management Organization" for 20 years. But year after year, the leaders and workers of the organization are getting rich with money from fish looting, hunting exotic birds and selling tickets to visitors.

Locals said that this Abhay Ashram of 100 hectares area for almost two years is supposed to have fish full of bill for so many years, but no fish is visible in the bill. Where did all the fish go? They said that due to the lack of fish, foreign migratory birds have decreased to a large extent during the winter season. Locals also said that if fish sales are estimated to be at least 50 lakh taka per year, then 10 crore taka is expected to be sold in 20 years. But now the bill seems blank. No fish, no birds.

Meanwhile, during the time of the former Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar, Mir Nahid Ahsan, a large discrepancy was found between the "Big Gangina Asset Management Organisation" as income-expenditure.

Meanwhile, the employees of Srimangal Upazila Fisheries Office, Agriculture Office, Social Service Office, Youth Development Office and Upazila Cooperative Office have informed the District Commissioner in writing after finding discrepancies in the audit report of income and expenditure including the visitor's entry fee of the organization. After investigating the audit report on December 29 last year, they said that from the year 2017-18 to the financial year 2021-22, the organization has reconciled most of the expenditure bills according to the wishes and through handwritten raw bill vouchers. These bill vouchers have not been approved by the president and member secretary of Upazila Fish Resources Conservation and Development Committee.

The report also said that out of 8 lakh 82 thousand 300 taka collected for the entry fee of that year, 3 lakh 52 thousand and 29 taka was shown for transportation in upazila and district. The cost shown for this journey does not correspond to the actual fare.

Even though an account was opened in Sonali Bank under the title of "Baikka Bill Entry Fee", after depositing a small amount in that account, later without any decision, they opened their own bank account and deposited the entry fee. Also, they have spent cash in hand even though there is a rule to deposit 1 lakh 79 thousand 200 taka in 2017-18 and 2021-22 as bank.

Also the serial number of the ticket book is not properly preserved. Some ticket stubs were cut without signature and date.

Zakir Hossain of Hajipur area of Baikka Bill Par said that fish is constantly stolen from Fish Abhay Ashram. Big gangina committee cannot suppress them. People on one side of the committee favor thieves. He said, "Those who steal fish are under arrest". There is no question of outsiders coming and stealing fish here. A section of the organization's members are directly involved in fish theft. According to him, fish can no longer be seen in Abhay Ashram like before.

Bara Gangina Asset Management Association President Peer Ali said four guards have been kept to manage the Baikka bill. They see that. Even after this loots cannot be prevented. Responding to the question that the small organization is involved in fish theft, he said, "If someone says that we are involved in fish theft, then I would not have done it." He said, if I find out that the guard is stealing fish, I will take him out by ear. Regarding the audit report of the investigation authority against the organization, he said, "The audit has been done properly, no fault has been found".

District Fisheries Officer Muhammad Mizanur Rahman said that a portion of Tk 1 crore 45 lakh has been deposited in the bank in the name of District Commissioner and Fisheries Officer for bill maintenance. From here the developmental work of the bill is done. He said, there have been irregularities in the committee for a long time. The audit committee submitted a report against them. He said, the organization has been formed with their brothers and sisters. There would be no corruption if there were people from all sectors. Fisheries official said, fish and birds are being hunted in the bill. He said that a clear committee with people from all professions will stop the irregularities.

Srimangal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ali Rajib Mahmud Mithun said, I have heard that there has been corruption in Baikka Bill. I wasn't there then. I don't know if anyone has done this before. A case has been registered in the police station regarding the theft of fish. He said, after I came, I stopped collecting the bill from the visitors. UNO said, now the Bill is running regular mobile courts. Those found guilty will be investigated and legal action will be taken.