The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our first national budget for the financial year 1972-1973 amounted to Taka 786 crore only.

Long after 36 years we have a colossal deficit of Taka 30,000 crore in our national budget for the financial year 2008-2009.

Nevertheless, billions and billions of US dollars of foreign loans are outstanding against us.

Just how and when we would be able to get rid of our poverty, make repayment of all loans and stand on our own feet ?

It is strange but true for truth is stranger than fiction. Some of our experts, scientists and also our renowned BCSIR (Bangladesh Council of Science and Industrial Research) say that beach sand valuable minerals Zircon, Rutile, Monazite, Magnetite, Elmenite and Titanium worth US Dollars 560 lakh crore are available on the sea beach of Cox's Bazar, some other coastal areas and also in the Basin of Brahmaputra river.

Why our authorities concerned have failed to utilise the valuable minerals called 'Black-Gold' either in the public sector or in the private sector for over last three decades ? Further, why the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources vide-Letter No. OPA-2/5(2) 2003/839 dated 17-06-2003 has denied me permission for collection, store, commercial utilisation and export of the valuable minerals 'Black-Gold' of Cox's Bazar ?

Last year when I visited Cox's Bazar and Moheskhali Island I saw the valuable minerals once again lying unused, wasted and lost into the sea which I found in 1970.

Would our government kindly look into the matter, hold a high level enquiry, arrange a visit of experts and Press reporters with me to see for themselves the valuable minerals 'Black-Gold' in Cox's Bazar and Moheskhali or allow me to make a public display/practical demonstration of 'Black-Gold' in Cox's Bazar and Moheskhali in the interest of public service ?

The people of our country are totally ignorant of beach sand valuable minerals "Black-gold". Our government may tell the people about the minerals and frame easy rules and regulations, terms and conditions for commercial utilisation of the "Black-Gold" for economic and financial benefit of all.

O.H.Kabir

Dhaka