Rajuk plots
Rajuk recently announced the lottery for allotment of 1,000 plots at 'Uttara' and 6,000 plots at 'Purbachal'.
Through their website www.rajukdhaka.gov.bd they asked for applications from the interested buyers from home and abroad. Initially the last date of submission was December 18, 2008.
A maximum number of people applied for plots this time hoping that if the lottery takes place during the regime of the caretaker government, then there would not be any unfair means in the process and the genuine applicants would win the lottery. But that is not going to happen since Rajuk just announced an extension of the submission date till the 14th of January. Which means the lottery will now take place when there will be a new government and we all know what is going to happen with this billion dollar project.
Already several people inside Rajuk are active and they are asking for a bribe to confirm somebody's name in the lottery. Bangladeshi citizens like us who are staying abroad and sent our hard-earned money with the application as deposit can't even expect any fairness in this whole process. As per the Rajuk's prospectus published in their website, along with the local residents, only Bangladeshi citizens staying abroad can apply. It doesn't say if the foreign nationals can apply.
But we have seen a large number of foreign nationals (ex-Bangladeshis) are applying. They are mostly applying for trading purpose. During the bad economic times, they found it more lucrative to invest the idle money in this and as soon as they win the lottery, they will sell it at a higher price.
They asked for deposit money (i.e. $2000 for 5 katha plot) from the foreign residents along with the application but nowhere in the prospectus it is clear when and how they are going to return the deposit money to the people who will not win the lottery. Only thing they mentioned is, they are not going to give the applicants any kind of profit or interest on the deposit money. This itself is a violation of the country's law. The government is bound to give interest on any deposit held for a certain period. Anyway, knowing the past performance of the government officials and their ignorance, most of the applicants are not surprised.
So the questions remain,
·As the submission time is extended, what is the guarantee that there will be a fair lottery under the newly elected government?
·As per Rajuk's prospectus they are not supposed to accept applications from the foreign nationals. If they have to include the foreign nationals, then it has to be through a separate quota.
·Rajuk's age and nationality verification process is absolutely ineffective. Anybody can make up a copy of passport with the false date of birth using computer.
·Rajuk has to clarify how and when they are going to return the deposit money to the applicants who won't make it.
We are strongly urging that the independent Anti Corruption Commission get involved with the process and ensure a fair lottery.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments