Protecting tenants' rights -

Living in Dhaka city is becoming costlier day by day. House rent, food prices, and travel expenses are alarmingly high. And they are only soaring by the day. However, of all factors that contribute to our living costs, it is the house rent that eats up a lion's share of people's monthly income. As a result of skyrocketing house rent, people have no choice but to squeeze their expenditures on other things such as food, clothing and entertainment. There are no direct laws that can help control house rent and protect tenants' rights. And it seems that nobody is worried about this. Such trends have hit the poorer sections of society the hardest.

The world economy has already been devastated by Covid-related shortages and it is now reeling from impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war. Basic items like bread, meat, lentil, sugar and cooking oils have skyrocketed in Bangladesh. We urge the authorities concerned to become more 'pro-poor' so that the gap between the rich and the poor can lessen to a great extent. Moreover, there should be a platform through which tenants can lodge complaints against their landlords for various issues.

Abu Elias Linkon,

Banasree, Dhaka,

lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com