The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE Rajdhani Unnanyan Kartripakha (RAJUK) is the official organisation responsible for ensuring that all construction works within the Dhaka metropolitan area are carried out in full conformity with prevailing governmental rules and regulations. But it has been found unable in doing this job efficiently and this is manifest in large scale violation of the building code in the city. RAJUK contends that it has had insufficient manpower to do its job. But how is it that it did not take care of its manpower insufficiency over so many years? RAJUK is now seen suddenly active in cracking down on unauthorised structures or ones built without its approval or without observing the building code. But this latest activity of RAJUK is but a waste of resources in a country that should put a premium on conserving resources in view of its resource poor conditions. Those who have constructed structures violating the code, knowingly or unknowingly, will now suffer loss of resources. RAJUK will also have to expend resources in demolishing the structures. Thus, a double waste is involved and the same could have been prevented if RAJUK authorities had been sincere and honest in their duties from the outset.

It is hard to believe that RAJUK failed to enforce adherence to the code in the past as it did not maintain vigilance by its inspectors on a fairly regular basis that could lead to a halt in the construction of structures in the first place. It is well known that such constructions could continue as the pecuniary interests of RAJUK officials were satisfied. Thus, RAJUK, and no other, must acknowledge its own deficiencies and make a whole new start. From now on, the helmsmen of that organisation should be obliged not to leave any opportunities for a repeat of their past underperformance.

Newspaper reports were noted some time ago that some private developers were alluring people to buy apartments and lands although these have no authorisation from RAJUK. The news is a bombshell because such properties will remain totally and forever insecure for the buyers for being potential targets for demolition. RAJUK should create awareness from now on so that the greatest number of people can come to know about dealing with the real estate companies. RAJUK should also persuade these companies, wherever possible, to satisfy its terms and conditions and requirements of regulations so that these can be approved as legitimate housing schemes at some stage and on this hope members of the public can continue to deal with them. Otherwise, unsuspecting buyers who invest their life's savings on homes would lose everything. The loss sustained by many individual owners of buildings that are targeted for demolition for not conforming to the building code might never be recovered.