The two Dhaka city corporations have so far completed the leasing process for 17 makeshift cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with most leases going to BNP leaders or individuals linked to the party.
According to officials, 26 temporary cattle markets will be set up this year -- 11 under Dhaka South City Corporation and 15 under Dhaka North City Corporation.
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The tender process has already been completed for eight markets in DSCC and seven in DNCC. The permanent cattle market at Gabtoli will also remain operational.
In DNCC, leases for seven markets have been finalised, while no bids were received for markets in the Merul Badda kitchen market area, the open space near the Mohammadpur 40 feet road in Basila, and the open space adjoining the Bhatara Sutibhola canal.
Tender processes are ongoing for four other markets, including Banarupa Housing, Swadesh Property in Badda, Mohakhali T&T playground, and Baro Beraid.
The highest bidder so far in DNCC is Sheikh Farid Hossain, president of Dhaka North Jubo Dal, who secured the lease for Boubazar cattle market adjacent to Uttara’s Diabari through his company SF Corporation with a bid of Tk 14.15 crore against a base price of Tk 8.30 crore.
Farid told The Daily Star that although he is involved in politics, he is primarily a businessman. He said this was his first time leasing a cattle market at such a high price and admitted the final bid might have exceeded initial expectations.
Other leaseholders under DNCC include Sirajul Islam of Islam Enterprise for the Eastern Housing Mirpur market and Aminul Islam, owner of Shikdar Enterprise, for the market adjacent to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute.
Md Aslam, a contractor and Rampura Thana BNP member, retained the East Hazipara cattle market lease in Ward 23 with a bid of Tk 13.53 lakh, Tk 5,000 higher than last year.
In Ward 34, Rafiqul Islam Sarkar, joint convener of Dhaka North BNP, secured the Rahman Nagar market adjacent to Kachkura Bazar.
In DSCC, Kazi Mahbub Moula Himel, member secretary of Shyampur Thana BNP, secured the cattle market situated on the west of Postagola Shoshan Ghat with a bid of Tk 4.01 crore.
Md Golam Hossain, a local BNP leader, won the bid for the Green Banasree open space with Tk 70.20 lakh, while BNP leader Md Amir Hossain obtained the lease for the market on the northern side of Golapbagh Outfall Staff Quarter with a bid of Tk 1.90 crore.
Meanwhile, Ismail Hossain, joint convener of Motijheel Thana BNP, secured another market lease with a bid of Tk 3.01 crore.
Anisur Rahman Tipu, who won the bid for the Uttar Shahjahanpur market lease with Tk 3.12 crore, claimed he has no political affiliation.
Md Shamim Khan, proprietor of KB Trade, won the market stretching from Kazla Bridge to the Matuail Water Pump with a bid of Tk 4.35 crore.
“Though we are involved with BNP, everyone, including local Jamaat leaders, is helping organise the cattle market,” Shamim told The Daily Star.
According to a DSCC official, the tender process for the Rahmatganj playground market is at the final stage, while the Shyampur-Kadamtali and Sadeque Hossain Khoka playground markets have yet to receive satisfactory bids.
The official said DSCC may go for a third round of bidding, as previous offers were below government-set rates. If acceptable bids are still not received, the matter will be referred to the divisional commissioner.
Several applications seeking approval for additional cattle markets in other areas have also been submitted and will be forwarded to the divisional commissioner’s office, the official added.
