Stop commercial activities in residential plots
JS body asks Rajuk
A parliamentary sub-committee yesterday asked Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to stop activities of all commercial organisations in the residential plots in Gulshan, Banani and Uttara of the city to ease gridlock in the areas.
Headed by Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, a ruling Awami League MP, the committee observed that commercial organisations on the residential plots are dodging tax as tax rate for commercial plots are much higher than the residential plots.
The sub-committee was formed by the parliamentary standing committee on the housing ministry on March 29 to examine irregularities in usage of residential plots in Gulshan, Banani and Uttara.
Held in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the committee asked Rajuk to show banks, insurance companies, car show rooms, travel agencies and eighteen other organisations as commercial organisations.
“Taking opportunity of Rajuk's loopholes, many commercial organisations are running their activities on the residential plots. Many commercial offices were also built on the residential plots,” Noor-E-Alam told The Daily Star.
He also said the sub-committee has also asked Rajuk to make videos or take photographs of commercial offices in the three areas to prove real picture of the areas.
“We have asked Rajuk to prepare a list of classification of plots, names of owners and current use of the plots within a month,” Noor said, adding, “After completion of Rajuk's task, the committee will visit Banani and Gulshan to examine authenticity of Rajuk's work.”
About traffic jam in Gulshan and Banani, he said activities of commercial offices in the residential plots are causing severe traffic tailback and closure of the offices would ease commuters' sufferings.
On dodging revenue by the commercial offices, he said, “[They [commercial offices] pay tax of electricity, water and other utility services as per the rate fix for residential usage and that cannot continue.”
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