Dipu Moni’s response to our nine questions
Question - 1: The National River Conservation Commission chairman [removed from the post on October 18] said a female minister from Chandpur is involved in illegally extracting sand from the Meghna. What is your comment on that?
Dipu Moni: The NRCC chairman’s remark is false and baseless.
There is only one female minister from Chandpur. That’s me. I do not have any involvement with illegal sand extraction or encroachment on rivers, and I do not patronise any individual or group engaged in such activities.
The statement by the NRCC chairman is uncalled for. There was certainly a dishonest motive behind the statement, which was made just before the national election.
Question - 2: Why have you sent at least 15 demi official (DO) letters to various government offices between 2015 to 2021 [to help Selim Khan get permission for sand extraction]?
Dipu Moni: My DO letters are self-explanatory. In each letter, I clearly mentioned why I was writing it.
Those who regularly commute through the main waterways and go to the shoals of the Padma and the Meghna in that region know about the navigability problems.
Dredging is essential for navigability. Due to underwater shoals, vast areas along the banks get eroded by the water sometimes.
The extracted sand is also used in development works. Sand extraction always takes place in the Meghna. Dredging is done mainly to trim shoals or char lands to protect navigability and prevent erosion. The government also earns revenue from those who extract the sand. It is a business for the extractors too.
As an elected member of parliament from the area, it is my responsibility to assist the local government representatives or anyone from my area when they want to do something that is not illegal.
When a union-level party leader, also a chairman, of my area sought my cooperation in legal sand extraction, I gave the aforesaid self-explanatory DO letters on different occasions to assist him in sand extraction from the Meghna to protect navigability and prevent erosion in some areas.
I have always known that sand extraction takes place there following the government rules and that his sand extraction is legal.
Question - 3: You have sent three DO letters to the prime minister’s principal secretary, recommending that Selim Khan and his son be allowed to extract sand. Why was this necessary? What role does the principal secretary have in this matter?
Dipu Moni: The principal secretary often plays a role in coordinating between ministries or fast-tracking certain tasks.
Question - 4: Selim Khan was running the sand business without paying the treasury. Did you know that?
Dipu Moni: No, I never received any such information.
Question - 5: Local Awami League leaders and residents allege that you are involved in Selim Khan’s sand business.
Dipu Moni: I am not involved in anyone’s sand business. I am a politician. I am a physician, lawyer, and public health professional.
Everyone in my family is engaged in various professions. No one is a businessperson. Those who know me are aware of this. If a local politician or resident is really saying such things, they either know nothing about me or lie with an ulterior motive.
Question - 6: Chandpur District Awami League has expelled Selim Khan, who was the union Awami League president, from the party on charges of tarnishing the party image and for alleged controversial activities.
Yet, you have addressed Selim Khan as the president at various party events and held several party meetings in his presence. Is this a violation of party decorum? Despite knowing he has been expelled, why are you letting him attend party programmes?
Dipu Moni: In the case of Selim Khan, the District Awami League has only announced the decision to expel him and didn’t follow the organisational procedure.
Therefore, Selim Khan is not expelled at all. As the president of one of my units; and since he has not been expelled, he regularly takes part in party activities.
Question - 8: Even after the stipulated time has passed, Selim Khan has still not deposited around TK 267 crore to the government treasury.
You have helped Selim Khan with the DO letters. Is it because of your friendship with him that he is not paying the money to the treasury?
Dipu Moni: As far as I know, this matter is currently under trial in the High Court. Commenting on it would not be prudent.
Question - 9: As a member of parliament, do you know that illegal sand lifting still takes place at night in the Meghna in your area? And there are allegations that Selim Khan gives you a share of the money from illegal sand extraction.
Dipu Moni: I have said earlier that I am not a businessperson. In my 41 years of political career, there has been no incident due to which someone can logically allege that I have financially benefited from illegal activities.
Translated from Bangla and slightly edited