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Gulshan-Banani plot allocation mired in 'political subterfuge'

Most lands are allegedly set aside for ruling coalition men

PINAKI ROY
A move is allegedly underway to award most of the land under the Gulshan-Banani Plot Allocation Project to a group of ruling coalition policymakers, although Rajuk (Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha) has invited applications from the public.
Since January 10, the city developer has sold hundreds of application forms, each costing Tk 1,500. The original January 31 deadline for application was also extended to February 15.
While most Rajuk officials are tight-lipped about the project, a
few decided to talk. They said all these application procedures are nothing but a 'whitewash' to justify allocation to the chosen politicos. "It is already decided who are going to get the land," said a top Rajuk official requesting anonymity.
Till the closing date, some 2,400 aspirants applied without knowing they are being taken for a ride.
Sources said some senior ministers, prominent lawmakers of the ruling alliance, and some influential government officials and judges who do not own any land in Dhaka are among the privileged group set to be awarded the prime real estate. The remaining compar-
atively small number of plots will be distributed among the general public, mostly foreign wage earners.
Some top ministers and coalition lawmakers have already put in their applications for the plots, official sources said.
A powerful minister who also holds a top position in the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party is so certain to win a plot that he has already surrendered his Nikunja land he was awarded before.
"Nomination for allotment of the Gulshan-Banani land is open to all. But it is natural that we have to give priority to ministers, lawmakers and judges. And the number of plots is very limited," said Iqbaluddin Chowdhury, Rajuk chairman.
Rajuk is reportedly in a sticky situation as these ministerlawmaker applicants outnumber the plots being awarded under the project.
Sources said only 50 to 60 plots (total 20 bighas of land) are available under the project at Banani near Chairmanbari where a slum now sits on the land. Another source claimed the number of plots is as many as 108.
All past governments have made plot allocations based on political consideration disregarding the principle of fairness. The last government in 1999-2000 allocated 16 plots in Gulshan-Banani under special rules. Before that, formal allocation of plots in the area were made in 1994 when 130 plots were distributed.
The posh Gulshan-Banani residential area was developed in the 1950s and was the lone diplomatic enclave before Baridhara was developed. The zone is served by only two commuter corridors and now a strong trend of medium- to high-density apartment type development is visible in almost all parts of the area.
A substantial number of houses in Gulshan and Banani have been leased out for commercial use and the areas are slowly losing their residential character. Rajuk's bid to save the Gulshan Lake from encroachment and pollution has all but failed. Chunks of open spaces in the area that helped drain flood- waters have been occupied, resulting in local flooding and water-logging.
Rajuk has invited applications for another housing scheme, the Uttara Residential Model Town (3rd phase), under which plots will be distributed by lottery.
In 2000, Rajuk acquired nearly 2,000 acres of wetland for the project on the eastern side of the Dhaka Flood Protection Embankment from Mirpur to Ashulia. The wetlands of Baunia, Diabari, Nalbhog, Chandalbhog and Bailjuri mouja were acquired from the local people who are yet to get compensation for the acquisition, a top official, said.
"The land is now under water. The area will be developed after receiving all applications. We will decide on the number of plots after all applications are in," said Zahurul Haque, Rajuk town planner.
However, Rajuk in its prospectus for the 'model town' says it will only fill up the land and build roads. There will be no water and gas supply facilities, which will be developed by Wasa (Water and Sewerage Authority) and Titas Gas Company Limited as and when possible depending on the budget of the utility service providers. No drainage will also be available for the plots, the number of which will exceed 5,000, officials said.
The original February 29 deadline for applications has been extended to March 15. About 30,000 people have already bought applications. Bank officials receiving the applications expect around 15,000 submissions by the deadline.