Present government has taken up a number of welfare oriented initiatives for the well being of the best sons of the soil – the freedom fighters. Of these the enhancement of Muktijoddha pension, construction of a number of multi-storied buildings cum market on abandoned places from whose income the welfare of the freedom fighters can be done. From that thinking a plan to construct a multi-storied building complex was taken up on the vacant place of Gulistan cinema hall. Though the initiative was good but the freedom fighters are deprived from the complex due to uneven agreement.
Besides, a number attempts, the constructing firm is beyond the reach of the freedom fighters. Finding no other alternative Liberation war affairs ministry AKM Mojammel Haque wants some sort of understanding with the contractor. But his proposal was not accepted by any body. Standing Committee member Major(Retd.) Rafiqul Islam opposed the idea of understanding parliamentary committee meeting. He told that ‘it is conflicting with the spirit of Freedom Struggle to make understanding with the contractor’.
The agreement with Muktijoddhya Kalyan Trust and the contractor was done as follows that contractor will build a 20 storied building. After the construction the contractor will dispose up all the floors and after that the KalyanTrust will get only the rent of all the shops.
Muktijoddhya Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust inked an agreement with this term on last February 27 of 2009 with Messers the Western Engineers owned by SM Alauddin. There was agreement to build 20 storied building on .6140 acres of land. According to contract 20 storied building was supposed to be completed in 5 years. But the work did not complete within the stipulated time. Next time was extended twice. Accordingly it was to be completed by 2007 but the building was not completed.
To the contrary the contractor after building up to 10 stories sold all the floors and left the work. According to agreement the construction firm was to pay a fine of Taka 50 thousand daily. To halt that fine provision the contractor sought the help of court. At this stage the ministry is in a fix what to do.
In the last meeting held on October 29, the minister said that at the beginning we wanted to cancel the agreement, moreover the contractor had filed case against us. I talked to the lawyer who told that if we win then the contractor will file appeal lingering the case. So if the committee agrees then an understanding can be reached with the contractor to get the rest work completed. The rent of per square feet can be increased by which the trust can be benefitted.
Committee president Sajahan Khan also gave opinion to increase the rate of the floor for the sake of welfare of freedom fighters. He said that legal battle will kill time.
Committee member Major (Retd.) Rafiqul Islam said to reach understanding with the contractor is conflicting with the spirit of liberation war. In no way any understanding with the contractor can be reached. He personally cannot accept any irregularity.
Another committee member Kazi Feroz Rashid said that he never heard about such an uneven agreement. However, giving priority to the welfare of Kalyan Trust, we can consider how the work can be completed.
These information was collected from the working paper of the parliamentary standing committee meeting. On last December 1 in the meeting the matter was discussed and it was decided that the members want speedy completion of the project.