Bangladesh to Review Laws on Contractors, Reclaim Dhaka Parks

Bangladesh's government plans to review relevant laws to prevent contractors who allegedly profited during the previous administration from continuing to win public projects. Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced this in parliament, responding to a question from BNP MP Ashraf Uddin.

Ashraf Uddin claimed that under the e-GP (electronic Government Procurement) system, contractors associated with the former regime were still securing bids based on their past performance. He alleged that these contractors often resold projects multiple times, ultimately subcontracting them to unqualified local operators who used substandard materials to maximize profits. The minister confirmed that the issue had been discussed with the prime minister and finance minister, and steps would be taken to ensure work goes to the "right people."

“

the right people

Separately, Reserved Seat MP Nilofar Chowdhury urged the government to reclaim Dhaka's playgrounds and parks from encroachment and drug users. She described these spaces as having been overrun by drug dealers, hawkers, and illegal structures, rendering them unsafe for children and families. Chowdhury lamented that many fields had been occupied by clubs, markets, and bazaars.

In response, Mirza Fakhrul acknowledged that many open spaces were seized for partisan purposes during the "fascist" regime. He stated that since the current BNP government took office, efforts have been made to reclaim these areas. He noted that most parks and playgrounds under the Dhaka South City Corporation were nearly lost before the current administration began recovery and development work, adding that initiatives are underway to gradually restore Dhaka's 256 parks and playgrounds for public use.

“

Playgrounds are like cattle recorded in the register but missing from the barn