Housing ministry revokes residential plots of 15 former PMO drivers in Keraniganj

The allocations are found to be in violation of the rules, as the applicants did not formally apply

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has cancelled the allocation of plots to 15 former Prime Minister’s Office drivers in RAJUK’s Jhilmil Residential Project in Keraniganj.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said it had written to the RAJUK chairman for urgent action to revoke the allocations.

On 7 Feb, 2024, a letter signed by Joint Secretary Mizanur Rahman directed RAJUK to allocate Jhilmil Project plots to 15 drivers working at former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s office at the time.

Drivers Borhan Uddin, Belal Hossain, Saiful Islam, Shafiqul Islam, Matiur Rahman, Nur Hossain Bepari, Mahbub Hossain, Shaheen, Mizanur Rahman, Bacchu Hawladar, Nurul Islam, and Razon Madbor were each allocated half shares in six 0.036-hectare plots.

In addition, drivers Nurul Alam, Nur Nabi, and Shaheen were jointly allocated a 0.06-hectare plot.

The ministry’s Public Relations Officer Md Alamgir Hossain said the plots had been allocated in violation of rules.

Following media reports, two investigation committees have submitted their findings.

The reports said the applicants had not formally applied for the plots, but were allocated them under written instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office, exceeding the designated quota and bypassing regulations.

The committees recommended cancelling all 15 allocations, which the ministry has now implemented.