Blame-ridden RAJUK up for overhaul

Blame-ridden RAJUK is now up for restructuring as the interim government's cabinet endorses an ordinance for a sweeping overhaul of the capital-development authority, amidst latest spell of criticisms about building construction following a moderate earthquake.

The Council of Advisers in its meeting Thursday approved draft versions of four major ordinances, including the RAJUK-restructuring one driven by the post-uprising government's move to remedy unsafe building practices and long-ignored regulatory gaps across the country.

Held at the Chief Adviser's Office with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair, the meeting endorsed the RAJUK Ordinance 2025, the Anti-Corruption Commission (amendment) Ordinance, the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention Ordinance, and the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance. Following the meeting, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, outlining what he described as "far-reaching reforms" intended to address systemic failures.

Professor Yunus directed the Housing and Public Works Ministry to examine whether a new, nationwide authority could be created to oversee building approvals - a function currently limited to RAJUK within its Dhaka-centric jurisdiction.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the Chief Adviser voiced sharp concern over the spread of unsafe construction, particularly in rural areas where four- and five-storey buildings now rise with little oversight.

The proposed RAJUK ordinance introduces new powers to regulate construction, excavation of water bodies, land filling, and the protection of playgrounds, wetlands and natural drainage systems. The draft law provides penalties for unauthorised structures and bars RAJUK officials from having stakes in contracts linked to its work.

A key provision allows redevelopment of neighbourhoods if 60 per cent of landowners consent, a clause intended to break gridlock in densely built urban areas.

In addition, the Chief Adviser orders that no Union Parishad within RAJUK's jurisdiction may issue building approval-an attempt to curb overlapping authority and illegal permissions.

The amended National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Ordinance empowers the commission to function as Bangladesh's National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). The NHRC will now have the authority to independently inspect detention centres nationwide.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com