17 makeshift cattle markets leased in Dhaka for Eid: Who gets the most

Highlights: TBS

The two city corporations of Dhaka have leased out 17 temporary cattle markets for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, parking controversy as it emerges that almost all allocations have gone to individuals linked to BNP leaders, replacing the Awami League-affiliated leaseholders from yesteryears.

According to both city corporations, there will be a total of 20 cattle markets this year– eight in Dhaka South City Corporation and 12 in Dhaka North. While the tender process for 17 markets have been completed, three more markets are to be leased in a day or two. In addition to these, two permanent markets will operate – one in Gabtoli under Dhaka North and another in Sarulia under Dhaka South.

Eid-ul-Azha will be observed on 7 June this year. The makeshift markets are scheduled to open on 3 June, four days before Eid, although animal sales usually continue on the day of Eid.

Regarding preparations, North City administrator Mohammad Azaz told The Business Standard, "We completed the leasing process for the 9 temporary markets. Starting tonight (Sunday), we'll begin preparations and urgent road repairs. Our officials will be on the ground to ensure Dhaka residents can buy and sacrifice animals comfortably. We will take immediate action if any irregularities are found."

8 of North's 9 markets go to BNP 

Dhaka North City Corporation has so far finalised lessees for its 9 temporary markets out of total 12, almost all of which are now under the control of BNP leaders and activists. The permanent Gabtoli market has also been leased out for one year including Eid.

The largest temporary market in Dhaka North is in Uttara's Diabari, near sectors 16 and 18. This was leased to SA Brothers Enterprise for Tk10 crore 1 lakh. Its proprietor, Shamsher Ali Khokon, is the organising secretary of the BNP's Dhaka North volunteer wing.

Speaking to TBS, Shamsher said yesterday, "We haven't yet started operations. We just received the pay order. Preparing the market in such a short time will be a challenge, but we'll do our best."

The Basila market in Mohammadpur was leased for Tk2.71 crore to Messrs Ahad Enterprise, owned by Md Jalal Mridha, joint convener of the Mohammadpur Thana BNP.

In Mirpur Section-6, Sohag Enterprise secured a market on a vacant land owned by Eastern Housing. While the owner, Md Raton Mia, is a businessman, local BNP leaders are reportedly supporting him with the lease.

The market near Uttara's Sector-10 on Ranabhola Avenue was leased to Atikur Rahman & Co. Atikur Rahman is the former joint general secretary of the BNP's Dhaka North chapter.

A market beside Dhaka Polytechnic Institute in Tejgaon went to Zayan Enterprise for Tk2.17 crore. The company is owned by Mohammad Moniruzzaman, member secretary of Tejgaon Industrial Thana's Jubo Dal (BNP youth wing).

Surmi Enterprise won the lease for a market next to the Mastul Checkpost in Khilkhet for Tk1.51 crore. Its owner, Mojibullah Khondokar, is also affiliated with the BNP. This market is reportedly being overseen behind the scenes by Akhtar Hossain, joint convener of BNP's Dhaka North chapter.

When asked about the lease awards, North City administrator Mohammad Azaz told TBS, "Since we didn't receive our expected bids initially, we re-tendered, and higher bids came in the second round. Although we wanted some non-political individuals to get leases, most of the highest bidders were political figures, so they won."

The permanent Gabtoli cattle market received a top bid of Tk25 crore, but the lease went to the second-highest bidder, Erfan Traders, for Tk15.71 crore. The company is owned by Syed Abu Bakar Siddique (Saju), convener of Darus Salam Thana BNP.

"The top bidder submitted payment but later backed out, so under the rules, we had to award the lease to the second-highest bidder," explained Azaz.

From the nine temporary cattle markets under Dhaka North, the Corporation is generating revenue of Tk25,25,52,000.

Dhaka North Estate Officer Farzana Khanom told TBS, "We will try to finalise the lease process for the remaining three markets by tomorrow (Monday). We awarded the leases to the highest bidders. If someone had offered a higher bid, they would have received the lease as per the rules."

BNP takes South's markets– some for less than half the govt price 

In past years, Awami League leaders dominated the temporary cattle market leases in Dhaka South City Corporation. This year, BNP leaders have taken control of all the markets. Allegations have surfaced that two leases were awarded to BNP leaders at less than half the government-set rates.

In South City's Narinda, a market on the southern side of Sadeq Hossain Khoka field and another at the Dholai Khal Truck Terminal had a combined official price of over Tk4.64 crore. However, they were leased for only Tk2.25 crore to Syed Masud Reza, the caretaker of the late Khoka's residence in Gopibagh, according to local BNP leaders.

Masud Reza claimed, "I received the lease in compliance with all rules. Political identity was not a factor."

Nearby, another market at Brothers Union Club premises had an official value of Tk3.75 crore but was leased to BNP leader Mohammad Ismail Hossain for only Tk1.2 crore. Ismail is a BNP-backed former councillor from Dhaka South.

A temporary market on vacant land north of Amulia Aligarh Model College in Demra was leased to Zainal Abedin (Roton), a former BNP president of Demra Thana. Last year, the lease went to Awami League's SM Nowaz Sohag.

On the riverside west of Postogola cremation ground, another market lease went to Mohammad Ali, a BNP-linked figure reportedly backed by local BNP activists and the son of former MP Salauddin Ahmed. Last year, the market was leased to Moin Uddin Chishti, president of Dhaka South's Ward-47 Awami League.

In Lalbagh's Posta area, Tipu Sultan, president of the Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society and former senior vice president of Chawk Bazar Thana BNP, secured the lease for a market on land beside Rahmatganj Club. Last year, the leaseholder was former Awami League MP Solaiman Selim.

From the eight temporary markets under Dhaka South City Corporation, the city is earning Tk18,87,25,772.

Dhaka South City Estate Officer Hasiba Khan told TBS, "Since Nagar Bhaban (city hall) is locked, we completed the lease of one cattle market from the Secretariat as part of urgent duties. Out of our 11 markets, we've finalised six; two have been sent to the ministry as the bids were lower than expected; one has no contractor; and the remaining two are not being set up due to High Court orders."

She added, "For the two markets where the leases were granted at less than half the official rates, we received no higher bids. Now it's up to the ministry to decide whether to approve them. We have no scope to offer any additional benefits from our side."