Trading of unapproved projects continues

Real estate companies were continuing to showcase and sell unapproved projects in the housing fair right under the nose of the concerned authority.

The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, which was ordered by the court to stop trading of unapproved projects in the four-day fair that is scheduled to end today, said that it was 'unable to take action against the unscrupulous real estate companies because of legal complexities'.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh said it could not 'take action against the companies which are trading unapproved projects in the fair as it was not a regulator'.

The REHAB began its Summer Fair 2011 on last Thursday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre with a total of 263 companies showcasing their offers of apartments and plots to customers.

Rajuk chairman Nurul Huda said they have approved only 28 projects of several companies out of 263.

State minister for housing and public works Abdul Mannan Khan himself inaugurated the fair, ignoring a request from green activists to shun the fair.

Following a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan and Paribesh Banchao Andolan, the High Court on the very day of the beginning of the fair directed the REHAB not to allow companies that have unauthorised housing projects to participate in its fair.

The court also issued a rule asking the REHAB to explain the legality of the participation of companies showcasing unauthorised projects.

The court also directed the government to stop real estate companies from developing lands without approval, selling and advertising such plots on web sites, putting up hoardings or any other advertising medium in areas covered by the Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan.

The Rajuk and police were asked to submit a compliance report to the court in 40 days.

The Rajuk, as mentioned above, blamed 'legal complexities' for its failure to implement the court's directive.

'We have received neither the certified copy of the court's verdict nor the lawyers' certificate, so how can we take action against the trading of unapproved projects?' replied Rajuk's chairman Nurul Huda when he was asked why they were not taking action against the trading of unapproved projects.

In reply to another question, Nurul Huda said, 'The Rajuk is not authorised to conduct a mobile court against the trading of unapproved projects.'

'We have already asked the ministry to make a provision for empowering Rajuk to conduct mobile courts against the trading of unapproved land and housing projects,' he said.

 REHAB's president Nasrul Hamid Bipu denied the allegation that unapproved projects were being sold at the fair.

Bipu, a ruling party lawmaker, told reporters, 'It is the Rajuk's responsibility to take action against the trading of any unapproved projects. The REHAB cannot take action against them as it is not a regulatory body.'

He, however, said the REHAB has issued notices to its members, asking them not to showcase unapproved projects.

Expressing his utter dismay at the trading of unapproved projects in the fair, BAPA's joint secretary general Iqbal Habib said, 'The trading of unapproved projects is continuing in the fair and the government and its machinery remain silent even after a court order was issued against it.'

'The BAPA requested the state minister for housing not to inaugurate the fair. We also urged him to check with Rajuk to see whether there were any unapproved projects,' he said.

Source: New Age