Shah Alam slugs minister

Bashundhara Group boss Ahmed Akbar Sobhan on Sunday went as far as reprimanding the state minister for public works at a government meeting with realtors over housing development. Full Story

Dhaka, June 13 (bdnews24.com)—Bashundhara Group boss Ahmed Akbar Sobhan on Sunday went as far as reprimanding the state minister for public works at a government meeting with realtors over housing development.

The row broke out during a discussion on the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), the capital's real estate blueprint of sorts, developed by the city development regulator Rajuk, at the Secretariat.

Bangladesh Land Developers Association president Sobhan, also known as Shah Alam, burst out at one point and said to the housing and public works state minister, "You cannot do whatever you feel like just because you are a minister."

His sharp retort came after state minister Abdul Mannan Khan tried to justify 21 percent of Dhaka's area designated for water bodies according to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha's DAP project, which provides an accurate demarcation of the capital.

The area plan marks different zones of Dhaka and identifies the areas designated for different uses, for instance real estate development, roads, parks and water bodies.

But the realtors were strongly opposed to the idea of leaving a fifth of the city area undeveloped and protested.

Khan had said in reply that the ministry had had several meetings with the real estate businessmen.

He had told the meeting that the government, along with Rajuk, would implement the area plan as presented at the meeting.

Realtors had reacted questioning the potency of the plan itself since it would not allow much real estate development if such a large portion of the capital were left 'undeveloped'.

At that point, Shah Alam, vehemently protested and said that the government could not just expropriate private property flaunting the DAP at them.

He also claimed that the plan had not been discussed with the stakeholders.

Acting president of the Real Estate Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) Nasrul Hamid Bipu, also a ruling Awami League MP, said although Rajuk had discussed the matter with them, their opinions were never sought.

"This plan is unacceptable."

The public works state minister had admonished the land developers association, headed by Shah Alam, at another meeting in February calling them cheats, but not in so many words.

Suggesting that the land developers were like 'land pirates', Mannan had then said that these businessmen sold pipe dreams to people.

He had said the business sold off other people's land claiming it to be theirs and deceived people.

Mannan had demanded of his audience, "How do you sleep peacefully at night?"

Referring to that previous meeting, Shah Alam retorted on Sunday.

He told the minister, "This is not the first time you are being rude. You have done on previous occasions too."

"How dare you insult us like this?

Mannan stopped him saying, "Don't raise your finger at me. Or I will be compelled to take strict measures if you speak to me this way."

"I will speak against your activities a thousand times if needed."

Shah Alam claimed that the realtors had significant contribution to the economy.

"You may talk with us in this manner once you have a similar contribution," said the chairman of Bashunddhra, perceived as one of the most controversial real estate developers.

Shah Alam alluded to Mannan's allegation that the realtors sold submerged land deceiving their clients in his retort.

He said, "The government did not see any faults when Rajuk launched its (Jhilmil and Purbachal) 'under-water' projects."

"But you find faults when we launch such projects."

Shah Alam claimed that if people like him were not in the business thousands of people could not have had their homes.

"It is because of us that thousands have decent homes."

"We have raised Tk 700 billion from the people and sold them homes too," he said.

"See if you can get Tk 5 from them," he said in what appeared to be thinly -concealed rage.

Shah Alam alleged that the main architect of the DAP, Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, a former BUET professor of civil engineering, a respected academician, had been 'bought' to draw up the plan in this way.

Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, now BRAC University vice-chancellor who was also present, protested.

"This has nothing to do about buying and selling."

"I was assigned to make a plan by Rajuk and the ministry. I have done what I felt was appropriate."

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