United News of Bangladesh

Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) met Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Riazul Islam on Thursday, pressing for amendments to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and broader reforms in the housing sector. REHAB President Ali Afzal led the delegation of board members to RAJUK's headquarters, where senior officials of the authority were also present. Flagging inconsistencies between current DAP provisions and ground realities, Ali Afzal argued the plan needs urgent revision. He called for expanding opportunities for high-rise and planned construction, along the lines of city centres to accommodate modern urbanisation within Dhaka's land constraints. The REHAB president also stressed the need to demarcate separate zones for agriculture, housing, industries and afforestation to ensure planned development across the country, while urging special credit facilities and incentives at the district and upazila levels to promote decentralisation of Dhaka. REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaque proposed holding a dedicated extended session to address the full range of issues related to DAP and the housing sector. RAJUK Chairman Riazul accepted the proposal and assured participants that such a session will be arranged in due course. “This country belongs to all of us. It is imperative to build a planned and sustainable housing system for everyone,” he said, praising REHAB's role and reaffirming his commitment to working jointly with the association. REHAB Vice Presidents Mohammad Akhtar Biswas and Md Harun-or-Rashid, along with Director Md Mahbubur Rahman and other board members, also shared their views during the meeting.

The High Court on Monday issued a contempt of court rule against four people, including chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) Md Anisur Rahman Miah, for not implementing its directive to remove unauthorized commercial establishments from the residential area of Dhanmondi. The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil issued the rule after a hearing on a contempt of court petition filed by a rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh. The other three accused are--the Housing and Public Works Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Rajuk's former engineer Md Shah Alam, and authorised officer Nuruzzaman Hossain. Senior advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioner, while deputy attorney general Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state. Read more: HC asks ACC to let it know progress of probe against Wasa MD Following a writ petition filed by two residents of the area, the HC on June 11, 2012 declared all commercial operations in Dhanmondi residential area illegal and directed authorities to remove such institutions. The High Court issued a ruling on the preliminary hearing of this writ on February 2 of the same year. At the same time, an interim ban was placed on setting up and approving new schools, colleges and business establishments in Dhanmondi residential area. Lawyer Manzill Murshid said that the court directed the defendants including Rajuk to remove unauthorized commercial establishments from Dhanmondi residential area and to remove some branches of Maple Leaf International School. He said that officials have not implemented the HC directive issued in 2012 regarding removal of all commercial institutions from Dhanmondi residential area which is tantamount to contempt of court.