Four ministers have not moved out of their flats in the MP buildings (NAM flats) at Manik Mia Avenue and Nakhalparha in Dhaka despite repeated reminders.
The sixth meeting of the Parliament Committee decided to again “formally notify” them to leave the houses.
The four ministers who are still occupying NAM flats are Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque and Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sherif.
On Feb 9 last year, the committee that looks after housing and other facilities of the MPs, decided not to allot NAM flats to any minister, state minister or deputy minister.
“We have directed (the officials) to send them letters again,” said Chief Whip ASM Feroz, who heads the committee, on Thursday.
“Each of them has some problems. If anyone really needs the flat he will have to take special permission from the speaker.”
None of the ministers could be contacted for comments.
The most recent notices were served on May 6, according to the Parliament Committee documents.
Earlier, seven MPs who were allotted the flats during the tenure of the 9th Parliament were asked to vacate the flats after they won elections and were given portfolios.
In a meeting on Feb 16 the same year, the committee decided that any minister, state minister or deputy minister, who wanted to retain the NAM flats, would have to deposit house rent and service charges.
Only Deputy Environment and Forests Minister Abdullah Al Islam Jakob heeded to the committee.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam told the panel that he wanted to live in the NAM flat.
State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu was included on the last February’s list but his name was not mentioned in the documents of Thursday’s meeting.
“I think he left the flat. Otherwise, his name would have been there,” said ASM Feroz.
Among the four, Inu’s flat is at Nakhalparha while other three ministers are occupying flats at Manik Mia Avenue.
Source: Bd news24
