Editorial
Offices where homes should be
Rajuk must weed out the commercial from the residential
A parliamentary sub-committee has recently observed a fact that has been apparent to the residents of areas such as Gulshan, Banani and Uttara for some years now. Numerous commercial organisations established on residential plots avoid tax rates as well as utility charges for commercial offices which are higher than those for residential usage. Not only are they depriving the State of a huge amount in taxes, but they are also contributing to the deteriorating environment of the residential areas. In fact, the matter has been brought to the attention of the parliamentary sub-committee because of the traffic gridlock caused by offices in these locations. As several of them also lack proper parking facilities, it aggravates the situation even more, with vehicles being parked inconveniently and illegally, causing severe traffic congestion.
How did these commercial organisations obtain permission to be established in residential areas in the first place? They could only do so by taking advantage of loopholes in Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha's (Rajuk) policies or corruption within its system. However, it is never too late to remedy the situation. We hope that without further ado, Rajuk will take up the recommendations made by the parliamentary sub-committee: make a list of classification of plots, owners and the current usage of plots. Having done that, it should identify and document evidence of commercial buildings in residential areas, ask them to be vacated and ensure that they pay their dues. The authorities should probe how the commercial organisations could be set up in residential areas at all. If the existing ones are weeded out and new ones are not allowed in the first place, we believe it would be a huge step forward in reducing traffic congestion and pollution, and in bringing back the clean, quiet and homely environment that should characterise any residential areas.
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