1,413 Dhaka Plots Allotted on Political Grounds, JS Body Told

A total of 1,413 plots were allotted on political grounds across five housing projects in Dhaka between 2009 and 2024, while 1,074 plots in Purbachal and Jhilmil have been flagged over alleged irregularities, a parliamentary committee was told on Sunday.

Of the plots identified in reports as involving irregularities, 874 are in the Purbachal New Town Project and 200 in the Jhilmil Residential Area.

The Housing and Public Works Ministry said the files relating to these plots had been kept on hold.

The issue came up at the second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Housing and Public Works Ministry, chaired by its chairman, Md Rezaul Karim Badsha, at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The committee discussed taking legal action following a proper investigation into the alleged irregularities, including whether political considerations had influenced the allotments.

The plots were allotted in Gulshan, Banani, Uttara and Jhilmil residential areas, as well as the Purbachal New Town Project, during the period. Purbachal accounted for the highest number, with 944 plots.

A committee formed in response to a rule issued by the High Court Division reviewed documents related to plot allotments in different projects of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and submitted its findings to the ministry.

The parliamentary committee also reviewed progress on decisions taken at its first meeting.

Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia graves

Regarding the reconstruction of the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the ministry said various initiatives had been taken to expedite the work.

It expressed hope that reconstruction of the main structures would be completed by December 2026.

The committee also called for the prompt completion of unfinished landscaping and cleaning work in the adjoining garden and premises.

Rooftop solar project

The ministry informed the meeting that a development project proposal titled “Enhancing Clean Energy Access through Rooftop Solar PV in Public Infrastructure” had been sent to the Planning Commission for approval.

The proposed project aims to install rooftop solar panels on government buildings and generate 360 megawatts of electricity.

Any surplus electricity remaining after consumption in the respective buildings could be supplied to the national grid.

New secretariat

The meeting was also informed that preparations were underway to lay the foundation stone of the new secretariat in Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, on December 16.

Housing and Public Works State Minister Ahmed Sohel Manzur and MPs Md Lutfozzaman Babar, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, M Manjurul Karim Rony, Md Ruhul Amin and Md Tajuddin Khan attended the meeting.