The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings has recommended that the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) take strict action against building construction that violates approved designs and halt unauthorized commercial operations in residential areas of the capital.
The parliamentary watchdog also recommended regular monitoring, mobile court drives, and strict enforcement of existing laws to curb customer harassment by real estate developers.
These recommendations were made on Thursday during the fourth meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings of the 13th National Parliament, held in the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
The meeting was presided over by Committee Chairman and Parliamentary Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed RAJUK’s overall activities, ongoing housing and infrastructure development projects, financial management, and audit reports. It emphasised taking necessary measures to ensure building construction in Dhaka strictly follows approved plans, alongside recommending effective steps to stop non-approved commercial activities in residential areas.
Addressing complaints regarding client harassment by real estate developers, the committee advised routine oversight of developer firms, mobile court drives as required, and stringent application of relevant legislation.
Furthermore, the committee recommended swiftly ensuring due plots for individuals affected by land acquisition in the Purbachal New Town project. It also laid stress on investigating whether any irregularities occurred in plot allocations in the past and whether middlemen exerted influence in the process, urging necessary action accordingly.
The meeting recommended taking required steps to expand housing facilities through constructing high-rise apartments instead of launching new land-dependent housing projects.
To achieve planned and sustainable urbanisation, the committee underlined the need for integrated utility services, underground cabling systems, fire safety measures in new commercial buildings, adequate washrooms, prayer spaces, and the conservation of Dhaka’s lakes.
In addition, it recommended assessing the feasibility of expanding solar power systems across Dhaka city.
Expressing concern over delays in audit activities, the committee called for completing audits rapidly and settling audit objections through modern digital systems.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the controller general of Accounts, the chairman of RAJUK, and representatives from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, RAJUK, the National Housing Authority, and the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.
