Govt to build 10,000 flats for landless, insolvent FFs

The government has taken an initiative to build 10,000 flats involving around Taka 2500 crore for landless and insolvent freedom fighters (FFs) across the country in line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives.

"The initiative aims at increasing their (FFs) life standard as valiant sons of the soil," an official familiar with the initiative said.

Assistant Chief of planning of the Liberation War Affairs ministry Md Mominur Rahman added that the Development Project Proforma (DPP) regarding the initiative was now being scrutinized at the Planning Commission for approval.

The official said the project intended to build a five-storey building having two units at upazila level with an aim to provide an apartment to at least one among every 20 freedom fighters of the country.

"We expect the project to be completed by June 2021," Rahman said.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozemmel Haque earlier said the project was taken as part of government policies to ensure better life for the 1971 veterans and directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) of over 100 upazilas sent reports proposing sites for building the flats.

The initiative for building apartments came as another project titled 'Building Houses for Insolvent and Landless Freedom Fighters' was nearing completion at a cost of Taka 271.13 crore.

A total of 2971 independent 500 square feet houses to be called "Bir Nibas" would be constructed at 484 upazilas across the country.

According to the approved plans, the houses would contain three rooms, a corridor, a common toilet and a shed for domestic animals at a cost of Taka 9 lakh each. An eight-member committee, headed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), has been formed to find out the landless and insolvent freedom fighters at Upazilas to provide them with housing facilities.

Among the committee members, there are Upazila Muktijoddha commander and deputy commander, Upazila Education Officer and Upazila Social Welfare Officer.

Source: BSS