Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League, on Thursday said that some elements are overplaying the defects found in the construction of only 24 out of thousands of houses gifted to the homeless by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The government has provided houses for one crore twenty lakh homeless people on the occasion of the Mujib Year, Quader said adding that defects have been found only in 0.25 per cent of the houses.

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At a virtual regular press briefing he urged all to remain vigilant against any motivated propaganda against the noble and humanitarian programme of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The faulty houses will be repaired and rebuilt by the government, said Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister.

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He said the houses were built on government-owned land (khas land) and in many cases damages occurred as those were built in relatively low lying areas.

He said that an inquiry committee has already been formed on the instructions of the prime minister. Punitive and disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible for the faulty construction.  

He also warned that those involved in negligence and irregularities in duty will not be spared.

The Awami League leader said the free housing programme for the homeless is being implemented under the direction and plan of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.