Shah Alam Nur :
The government’s sudden move to evict business centers and business firms built under the residential buildings in the city’s posh areas will hit businessmen hard.
Traders said they will face huge financial loss by the government’s move as they have signed long-term deals with the landlords to rent the commercial spaces making huge investment.
As per the government decision, business establishments and business firms run under the residential buildings in Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara and Baridhara areas will be evicted soon as it said that they were built violating provision of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
It has already made a list of businesses, including bars, guest houses, private community centres, fitness centres, spa, beauty parlours, universities, hospitals, colleges, coaching centers and boutique shops in the said residential areas for launching the eviction drive.
Eviction drives are expected to begin next week.
“I am running a restaurant for the last five years. I had to spent huge money to take lease of the space from the landlord and signed a long-term contract. Now the government is saying to move out prior notice which is very unfortunate,” Abdur Rahman, owner of the Restaurant, told The New Nation on Saturday.
Rahman, who runs the restaurant at the city’s Gulshan-2 Circle, also said that he has started the business obtaining gas and electricity connections from the concerned agencies and the DCC authorities also gave him trade license for running it.
“They did not raise the question of legality while providing the services and now the government agencies are asking to move out putting risk at my investment,” he added.
Helal Uddin, President, Dhaka Mohanagar Dokan Malik Samity, said that when the design for constructing buildings was approved by (RAJUK), there was no provision to set up business centers and shops there.
“But, many owners later rented some spaces of their buildings to run businesses. Even, the utility service providers provided utilities to run the businesses and DCCs provided trade licences officially allowing the businessmen to do business,” he added. He further said that being allowed by the concerned authorities, the businessmen invested huge money under the roof of residential buildings to run their shops. But government’s sudden eviction will lead them to incur huge losses.
Terming the move ‘arbitrary’, Helal who was a former Vice-President of FBCCI, said, “They cannot come up with sudden move. The victim businessmen should be given certain time before the eviction drive. Besides, a compensation package should be offered for them.
When asked, he said, the land-owners are responsible for the illegal set up of business under their residential building. So, the government should take action against them first. Why the tenants will be victimized for their greed.
“The corruption of Rajuk officials has led to the current situation. They should be punished for creating such anarchy,” he added.
He also said that one can run hotel under a residential building but when someone wants to set up restaurant that would not get permission. This is illegal. If hotels are legals restaurants too.
When asked, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon told The New Nation on Saturday that eviction of business centers and business firms from residential buildings in designated areas is a big challenge.
“This is a long-standing problem. The practice is going on over the years under the very nose of the agencies concerned,” he added.
He further said, a joint effort is in place. But the scenario will not change rapidly. It will take time.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq could not be reached for comment.
“When you go to Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara and Baridhara you will see so many restaurants and other commercial establishments there on the ground floor of residential buildings. We cannot accept those unauthorised set-ups,” Engr Mosharraf Hossain, Minister for Housing and Public Works told The New Nation yesterday.
He said commercial activities in residential areas are growing fast. We must stop it.
