BGMEA Bhaban 'legal'

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FE Report
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) claimed its 15-storied construction was legal as the Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (RAJUK) has approved the plan and design.
In a press statement the BGMEA authorities said it has maintained all the existing rules and regulations of building codes and received the approval of the DESA, WASA, Department of Environment (DoE), Titas Gas, Fire Service, Civil Defence and Civil Aviation Authorities for constructing the building.
The BGMEA statement also said RAJUK has allowed them to construct a 15-storied building at its board meeting July 14, 2003, and later approved the design of the BGMEA building on January 22, 2004.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) conducted the survey of the Hirajheel Project and submitted the report to the RAJUK and the BGMEA building has been fit-in its place.
BGMEA has deposited Tk 1.2 million in Agrani Bank, Rajuk Branch and received the release letter to construct a bridge on the canal in front of the building, the press statement said.
Earlier, Local Government Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said the 15-storey BGMEA Bhaban was built without approval of Rajuk and it should be knocked down just as Rangs Bhaban is going to be, Thursday.
Anwarul Iqbal said, "No permission was taken from RAJUK" to construct the headquarters of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BGMEA) in Hatirjheel coordinated development project area in the city.
The adviser made the revelation after an inter-ministerial meeting on the project held in the conference room of the Local Government Division.
"I cannot say why such an illegal building was constructed without RAJUK approval. You better ask the officials of the Ministry of Public Works," he told reporters.
On Hatirjheel project, Anwarul said, "The project was supposed to be built on 302 acres of land.
About 400 structures there will have to be demolished. "Now it has been contemplated that the project would be implemented on 250 acres so that not many structures are demolished."