Staff Reporter:
The government has taken an initiative to introduce a one-stop service for approving building plans by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) to reduce delays and public hassles in the approval process.
Under the proposed system, applicants will be able to submit their applications for plan approval at a single designated location within a stipulated timeframe, with arrangements being made to process and approve the applications promptly.
At the same time, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has taken a firm stance against the tendency of contractors to unnecessarily extend the duration and costs of government development projects.
The committee said it would regularly inspect and monitor development projects to ensure transparency and accountability and assess whether any proposed increase in project costs or timelines is justified.
Member of the committee Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal disclosed the information while speaking to journalists after the committee’s first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday.
The meeting was chaired by committee chairman Md Rezaul Karim Badsha and attended by committee members and concerned officials.
Speaking after the meeting, Iqbal said applicants seeking approval of building plans from RAJUK have so far had to visit various government agencies, including the Fire Service and Civil Defence and the Department of Environment.
“This has increased public suffering and also created obstacles to development activities,” he said.
To address the problem, the committee proposed introducing a one-stop service for plan approval. The minister and RAJUK chairman have agreed to the initiative, he added.
He said a specific timeframe would be set for plan approvals, allowing applications to be submitted at a single location and processed quickly. Necessary instructions have also been issued to the officials concerned, he said.
Regarding the practice of contractors seeking extensions to project timelines and increasing project costs, Iqbal said ensuring accountability in project implementation was one of the key responsibilities of the parliamentary standing committee.
As part of this responsibility, the committee will inspect and monitor various development projects and examine the justification for any increase in project costs or implementation periods.
“If any irregularity, lack of transparency or corruption is found, necessary action will be taken,” he said.
He added that there would no longer be scope for irregularities and corruption as in the past, and contractors would not be allowed to unnecessarily extend project deadlines.
Regarding the housing shortage and construction of flats at affordable prices, Iqbal said some complexities in the existing urban planning regulations were hampering activities in the housing sector.
In particular, many land developers are facing difficulties in implementing housing projects due to complications related to the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), he said.
The issue is currently being reviewed by experts, while work is also underway on the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) regulations and urban housing regulations, he added.
“Land developers are facing difficulties in implementing projects because there is no comprehensive housing regulation in place,” Iqbal said, adding that initiatives had been taken to address the problem.
He said efforts were being made to approve the housing regulations before the committee’s next meeting.
The parliamentary committee also discussed measures to curb unplanned urbanisation.
Iqbal said the meeting discussed bringing buildings that were constructed in accordance with applicable rules but did not obtain approved plans under specific fines or penalties and regularising them in accordance with RAJUK regulations.
He said ensuring public convenience was one of the committee’s key objectives.
“The members of the committee are committed to working in line with people’s expectations,” he said, adding that the ministry had also agreed with the committee on the matter.
Iqbal said the committee’s first meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Necessary instructions were given to officials of the ministry and relevant agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in government activities.
He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had pledged to ensure transparency and accountability in government affairs.
