Govt to build apartments for slum dwellers

Housing and public works minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said Saturday that government will build apartments for slum dwellers who can own it on payment of only Tk 260 daily for a period of 20 years.  
"We will build apartments for slum dwellers. They have to pay Tk. 260 daily for 20 years with 10 per cent service charge to own an apartment," he said as the chief guest at a seminar on "Housing for Public Welfare" at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) auditorium on the day.
DCCI organised the event. Faculty member of the North South University Dr. Nurul Amin presented the keynote paper.
The housing minister called upon the banks and financial institutions to provide loans at single digit to the limited income group of people so that they could purchase apartments. He emphasised on long term development plan for the city.
"I called upon you (banks) to provide loans at single digit interest rate to facilitate them for buying apartments," he said.
He said that solid waste management plan will be given priority in the new infrastructure development. He also informed that new design will not be approved without established "Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP)".
Mr Hossain said that the present government is planning to establish new town in urban areas aiming to prevent people from coming to cities for their livelihood.
He said the government will not allow housing on arable land.
"Without touching agriculture land…. we should allow urbanisation," he said.  
He said the government will build 62,000 apartments at Purbachal new town considering the growing demand of housing.
DCCI President Mohammad Shahjahan Khan said that household problems have increased day by day due to rapid growth of population. He said that contribution of the housing sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) is 12 per cent to 15 per cent.  
He called upon the government to take necessary steps for gas, water and electricity supply and provide financial assistance and design approval.     
Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Md. Abul Quasem said that agriculture, industries and service sectors play a vital role to achieve the GDP target of the country. He informed that BB is working to facilitate financial help for the developers.  
Chairman of Rajuk Engr. G.M. Jainul Abedin Bhuiya called upon all to follow the building code while building houses and industries.
DCCI Senior Vice President Osama Taseer moderated the open discussion session. DCCI Director Hossain A. Sikder gave vote of thanks.
DCCI Directors KG Karim, Humayun Rashid, former Senior Vice President MS Shekil Chowdhury, former Vice President M Abu Huraira, Convener Selim A Khan, Nasir A Ferdous, M S Siddiqui, member Engr. Al-Amin, Acting President of REHAB Liaket Ali Bhuyian, FBCCI Director Abu Mutalab took part in the open discussion session.  
DCCI Directors Muktar Hossain Chowdhury, Alhaj Abdus Salam, Md. Shoaib Choudhury, AKD Khair Mohammad Khan, former Vice President Absar Karim Chowdhury and DCCI Secretary AHM Rezaul Kabir were present at the seminar.  
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com