HELEMUL ALAM and SHAHEEN MOLLAH

The two Dhaka city corporations have so far completed the leasing process for 17 makeshift cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with most leases going to BNP leaders or individuals linked to the party.

According to officials, 26 temporary cattle markets will be set up this year -- 11 under Dhaka South City Corporation and 15 under Dhaka North City Corporation.

The tender process has already been completed for eight markets in DSCC and seven in DNCC. The permanent cattle market at Gabtoli will also remain operational.

In DNCC, leases for seven markets have been finalised, while no bids were received for markets in the Merul Badda kitchen market area, the open space near the Mohammadpur 40 feet road in Basila, and the open space adjoining the Bhatara Sutibhola canal.

Tender processes are ongoing for four other markets, including Banarupa Housing, Swadesh Property in Badda, Mohakhali T&T playground, and Baro Beraid.

The highest bidder so far in DNCC is Sheikh Farid Hossain, president of Dhaka North Jubo Dal, who secured the lease for Boubazar cattle market adjacent to Uttara’s Diabari through his company SF Corporation with a bid of Tk 14.15 crore against a base price of Tk 8.30 crore.

Farid told The Daily Star that although he is involved in politics, he is primarily a businessman. He said this was his first time leasing a cattle market at such a high price and admitted the final bid might have exceeded initial expectations.

Other leaseholders under DNCC include Sirajul Islam of Islam Enterprise for the Eastern Housing Mirpur market and Aminul Islam, owner of Shikdar Enterprise, for the market adjacent to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute.

Md Aslam, a contractor and Rampura Thana BNP member, retained the East Hazipara cattle market lease in Ward 23 with a bid of Tk 13.53 lakh, Tk 5,000 higher than last year.

In Ward 34, Rafiqul Islam Sarkar, joint convener of Dhaka North BNP, secured the Rahman Nagar market adjacent to Kachkura Bazar.

In DSCC, Kazi Mahbub Moula Himel, member secretary of Shyampur Thana BNP, secured the cattle market situated on the west

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