Editorial
Homes for the middle class
A good initiative that must be followed through
The government's plan to build over 11,000 flats in Mirpur area of the capital, for the middle class -- low and middle income groups including journalists, farmers, freedom fighters, ethnic minority groups and the challenged -- is commendable. In the context of land and housing crises in the capital, we hope that it will contribute to easing at least some of the sufferings of the middle class.
However, there are several factors the government must take into consideration. The first is the definition of 'middle class' and categorisation of the income groups, professional groups and people in general who will qualify for the allotments. How will they be identified without discrimination among thousands of possible applicants? Second is the lottery system of awarding them, which has in the past become chaotic as well as corrupted. A prominent public housing project is a case in point which began with much fanfare but the results of which we are yet to see. This time around, measures must be taken to guard against such mismanagement. Close monitoring of the process will be necessary to ensure that the programme serves its purpose and does not just become a way of minting money for some.
Finally, as we commend the government on the initiative, we would also suggest that, if beneficial to the stakeholders and successful as a project, it should be replicated across the country. As it is, the nation is a very capital-centric one, with millions flocking to Dhaka every year, exhausting the city of its resources and its inhabitants of their basic facilities including housing, power, water, etc. If similar projects were to be set up in other parts of the country, it would ease the burden on the capital and widen the extent of development. We hope the Swapnanagar project will be extended beyond Mirpur, Dhaka to benefit the rest of the nation and its population.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments