This file photo shows the entrance to the cantonment residence once allocated to Khaleda Zia, and now taken back by the government. Photo: Banglar ChokhThe government yesterday cancelled the allotment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's house on Shaheed Mainul Road in Dhaka Cantonment, 'due to a number of anomalies regarding the allotment within the military zone'.
The decision came at a meeting of the cabinet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair where cabinet members and secretaries of different ministries and divisions were present. Going through various documents regarding the allotment, the cabinet 'identified numerous anomalies'.
The irregularities are that Khaleda has been carrying out political activities from the cantonment house, which goes against a condition of the allotment. The cabinet also 'found out' that one cannot get allotment of two government houses in the capital, and a civilian cannot get a resident lease within a cantonment. The meeting also observed that unauthorised changes and extensions were made to the structure violating the code of conduct for a military area.
Khaleda, also the main opposition leader in the parliament, will lose the house in three months, according to the government decision. Former military dictator HM Ershad, who later became a president, allotted the house to Khaleda and her two sons after the assassination of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman who used to live in that house as a marshal law administrator.
Highly placed sources in the government however said Khaleda's activities and remarks following the February 25 mutiny and massacre in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters are the main reasons behind the cancellation of the allotment.
The cancellation came a week after Hasina told the parliament that the 6 Shaheed Mainul Road house in Dhaka Cantonment was allotted to Khaleda violating Cantonment Board's rules, and her cabinet would decide about its fate.
"If Khaleda Zia returns the house, the government will construct apartment buildings on that 2.72 acre land, and will allot two apartments to each of the families of army officers killed in the BDR massacre," Hasina announced in the parliament.
The government already instructed Quarter Master General Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury to take necessary measurers to evacuate the house, highly placed sources said.
"A person can't get two government houses in the capital. So the allotment was an illegal step and we are just removing the anomaly," Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury told The Daily Star after the meeting.
She said rules were flouted in various ways regarding the allotment of the house. "If anybody violates the rules of a lease contract, you can straight up cancel the lease. She violated a number of conditions and there are many reasons for cancelling the allotment," she added.
Responding to a query about BNP's claim that the 1981 cabinet under the Ershad regime approved the allotment, Matia, also an Awami League (AL) presidium member, said they have scrutinised all relevant documents from that time, but did not get any such proof.
Earlier, AL lawmaker and former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru in the parliament drew the premier's attention to the allotment of the house for 99 years to Khaleda under some conditions including restrictions on carrying out political activities from there.
But, Khaleda violated the condition as she has been carrying out political activities from that house, and the head office of Dandy Dyeing is also set up there, Khasru claimed.
The AL lawmaker asked whether the government would cancel the allotment on grounds of violation of the lease agreement.
In response to Khasru's questions, Hasina told the parliament that it is true that the cantonment authorities cannot allot the house to anyone, so the allotment is illegal.
Matia yesterday clarified that the 1981 cabinet also did not allot the 6 Shaheed Mainul Road house to Khaleda; rather it allotted a house to her on a 1.5 bigha land in Gulshan in 1982. Khaleda however did not stay in the Gulshan house on Road 196, Block 3. It has been rented out since the allotment.
Talking to The Daily Star, another senior minister, wishing anonymity, said the government is not happy over the role of Khaleda in the aftermath of the bloody BDR mutiny on February 25-26.
"Instead of helping to resolve the crisis, she rather tried to exacerbate the situation," alleged the minister.
Hasina herself accused the opposition in the parliament on Tuesday of attempting to plunge the country into chaos by making 'incendiary remarks' about the BDR bloodbath.
Asked whether the decision will exacerbate the political enmity between AL and BNP, the agriculture minister said, "If they abide by the law and the rules then it is not supposed to create any new enmity, as they are also citizens of the country and the law is equal for all."
The last AL government made a similar unsuccessful move to evict Khaleda from the cantonment residence.
The successive BNP-Jamaat coalition government however cancelled government allotment of two houses to Hasina and her sister, soon after coming to power. Besides, other facilities the last AL government allotted to the daughters of Bangabandhu were also cancelled by the BNP-Jamaat government.
In addition to yesterday's decision to cancel the house allotment for Khaleda, the cabinet also discussed the government policy on water body management and formed a six-member committee led by Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury for analysing and scrutinising the policy.
The other members of the committee are the ministers for land, fisheries, water resources, and social welfare affairs, and the state minister for foreign affairs.
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Press Secretary to Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad said the committee will place the draft policy to the next cabinet meeting, scheduled for Sunday.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 11:23 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
We couldn't support that a National Leader will live in Cantonment which could create a lot of national problem. So, ethically the leaders should leave the home for sack of the nation. She is not living like a ordinary people, she is a very influential leader of the nation. So, a influential leaders could not live in Cantonment Area.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 11:23 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
It is an insensible decision of the government against a women who fought for the country's democracy last 28 years. She is also 3 times prime minister of this country.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 11:39 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
PM Hasina is beginning to show signs of her old self and the typical sleaze of politics in Bangladesh. This is truly shameful and must be condemned in the strongest possible manner by all civilized citizens of Bangladesh.
The country owed a lot to one of its freedom fighter Commander and its ex-President. This was the least the country could do for them.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 11:40 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
This is just petty, and shows Hasina's ego is primary in parliamentary affairs.
Maybe ''other facilities the last AL government allotted to the daughters of Bangabandhu were also canceled by the BNP-Jamaat government'' but thats the difference this house wasn't something Khaleda awarded to herself - unlike Hasina and Rehana awarding themselves lifelong-perks at the expense of the nation.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:01 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Why is the Prime Minister creating confrontation with BNP? PM Hasina is showing utter disrespect to the leader of the opposition and past Prime Minister of the nation. Some of the language used by Hasina utterly shameful. I hope media and intellectuals encourage a dialogue between the parties.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 11:32 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
How come govt took this type of insane decision? Begum zia is the wife of martyr and ex-president Ziaur Rahman. She has complete right to have this home. Govt will take the house from one martyr family to build apartment for other martyr family!!!!
This is completely a cruel decision!
Recent martyr families got enough money to survive, 40 thousand monthly for 10 years, 14 lacs deposit. This is more than enough!
One high govt official even doesn't get that much salary.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:09 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Fair game! I am not sure why would Bangladeshi taxpayers bear the expense of such extravaganza for a political leader?
Thursday, April 9, 2009 01:02 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
These self seeking politicians would really like to allot the entire country in their or the name of their families. why should Hasina and Rehana took houses for themselves in Dhaka when they have a paternal properties in Dhaka? Hasina even tried to grab the gono bhaban, no?
When houses were alloted to khaleda, no one including hasina or the awami league objected to it. but the context in which the houses were alloted to khaleda are no longer valid as khaleda and her sons looted and plumbered the country just as hasina's son joy set up businesses in the US with huge investment the cources of which are yet unknown!
Allah bless the Bangladeshis and protects them from their totally corrupt leaders...
Thursday, April 9, 2009 01:15 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
This cannot be a prime issue of the present government as there are so many vital issues where govt can concentrate. This is absolutely political . This may invite political unrest in the country. None can appreciate this.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:31 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Good decision because She is alone residing such a big house other people of his poor nation are not getting a simple sheltter.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 01:27 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
.. and you would think that this cabinet had more important issues to deal with like global recession, healthcare etc.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 01:34 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
A correct decision but a reasonable notice must be given.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 01:44 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
The government has taken a right decision by cancelling Khaleda's Cantonment house. It was a kind of bribe given to Zia family by Gen. Ershad to earn their faith so as to stay away from zia killing case. Moreover an active politician like Khaleda should not be allowed to live in the cantonment.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 02:35 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
It is a right decision for the government to cancel this allotment.If she gets it there are many shaheed's families could claim the same.It is a right decision.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 02:44 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
The decision should have been taken by the earlier governments. So, as per me this Government has taken the right decision.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 04:33 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Bold, courageous decison.. Congratulations.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 04:34 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
BOLD DESCISION. IT NEEDS A LOT OF COURAGE!!!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009 04:53 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
It seems to me whole government machineries and the leaders are concentrating on a single house of the country instead of other more important priority issues.
we as general citizens expect more maturity and foresightedness in dealing with problems of national interest.
Failure of which gives us more sense of insecurity while we think about the efficiency of our national politicians.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 05:46 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
It seems that the government has taken a right decision as no civilian should be allowed to live in the cantonment area. The decision to lease the house to Khaleda Zia seems to be wrong. However, the government should not build apartments in the area to allot to BDR carnage victims. They are also civilians. Who knows that they will not be involved in politics in the future. There may be other government lands that can be used to settle Army.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 08:31 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
I think this is not the right time to take such decision as government going through a tough situation faced BDR mutiny, economic recession, law and order chaos, BCL activity, trial of war criminal and so on, despite government showed number of anomalies during allotment. There are lots of things to do since this government comes to power with huge expectation of mass people. Please concentrate in your election manifesto, learn from the history power is not for forever.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 08:31 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
This action by Hasina Wajed is despicable. Hate or love Begum Zia, she is still an ex head of state as well the wife of another head of state. Is this how Bangladeshis pay tribute to Zia and his family? Shame on every Bangladeshi who stands by this vindictive, childish exploit.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 08:33 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
This is a silly move to force the country into anarchy; this will bring hartal and other forms of agitations. Sheikh Hasina had also allocated Gano Bhaban for her for her father's contribution to the national. It reflected the beggars mentality and no self respect. But as a citizen of the county we don't to witness this kind of third class politics. For god's shake please refrain from this kind of politics as we want to live in peace while many of us have already became victim of economic recession.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 08:43 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
I don't like to say where it is a good wise decision or bad but the Government could take this decision steadily after reading the pulse of the nation and surveys made by different daily news papers.
There are many Government lands that could easily be used for supporting unfortunate families of Pilkhana killings but not targeting the house and land of the ex two times Prime Minister and current leader of the Opposition where she has been living over 28 years and her husband had been killed ruthlessly in Chittagong was a president and Chief of army.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 08:46 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
It is one of the vindictive decision of AL government. How did they ensure nation that evacuated Mainul road residents flat owner will not be used these for potical purpose by the families of army officers, killed in BDR massacre that suppose to allot to them what PM announced to the parliament? Unfortunately, we can't get out from political vindictism and chaos. Gradually AL shows their orginal picture to the nation of non tolerance and vindictism. Did the violent activities of Chattra League and cancellation of Khaleda's house prove of AL's pledge of day change!
Thursday, April 9, 2009 01:16 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Law should be even handed. There should not be sets of law for different citizen of the country.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned principle has hardly been in practice for most part in our governance, benefit allocation or allotment of govt. properties. While taking back the Cant. house from Khaleda Zia is just, since no private citizen should have the house of the CNC. Also she has already been given another house in Gulshan. By the same token AL should not get in the business of allocating RAJUK polts to most of its party members.
AlL should not have selected an inapt VC for DU, just because he is an AL think tank. The irony is that both the party sink into the same low level of party beneficiary. So far AL, BNP or JP could not show any better.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 10:07 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Bangladesh is an unique example how things change with the changes of power.Yesterday's cabinet decision must have hurt many accross the country irrespective of political affiliation.
But blaming Sheikh Hasina fully for this decision will be very unkind and unfair to her.When Hasina was PM last time,
she took allocations of two houses , one for herself and another for her sister Rehana. Many like me thought it was immoral. Begum Khaleda Zia was most vocal against these allocations and cancelled them when she became PM in 2001.By going further she allocated the Sheikh Rehana house for Dhanmondi thana and she inaugurated the thana which is unprecedented for a PM to do so.
The reason citted by Government that two houses can't be allocated to one person is correct. If my memory does not defy me , Gen Khaled mosharraf's family was alloted one house at Gulshan after he was killed in 1975. During last BNP Gov. his wife got allocation of another land in dhaka from Rajuk through her own persuation. BNP govt cancelled her Gulshan house allocation citing this law and alleged to have forcefully evicted the family. Moreover the house was sold to Begum Khaleda Zia's naphew Tuhin at a much lower than market price.
When Begum Zia was PM it's alleged that her Govt did not allow the then Leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina to enter Cantonment citing security reasons. Citing the same reason if Sheikh Hasina does not allow Begum Zia to live inside cantonment that seems quite fair.
When in power both Sheikh Hasina and Begum Zia think they
are in power permanently and never consider what might be the consequences of their actions if they go to the other side of the aisle.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 10:16 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
During the previous tenure of AL rule, the govt. shifted the floating bridge at late president Zia's grave, and this time they have opted for the cancellation of the allotment of the cantt residence of Khaleda Zia. This clearly exposes AL's deep rooted hatred towards the valiant freedom fighter and his family. There are more important issues that demands the govt's immediate attention, and by looking for solutions for those they should work for national unity.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 04:38 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
The Prime Minister has to stop humiliating the leader of the Opposition. She seems to have no understanding or interest in our nation's interest.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 10:54 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Very very bad decision by the malfunctioned government. It is not democratic. Hasina said about Rehana's home but everybody knows that she possesses home at the highest elite area of the world in London. We rebuke Govt decision and suggest to reconsider the decision. The decision will destabilize our political situation.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 11:47 AM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a person does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his/her intelligence.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:02 PM GMT+06:00 (242 weeks ago)
She should leave the cantonment house. She has enough money and another home to lead a luxerious life.