Chattogram Housing Directorate : None gets govt quarter without bribe, syndicate controls everything
MR Amin, Chattogram
Allegations of bribery and irregularities have found over the allocation of government housing in Chattogram.
From the preparation of the allocation list to final approval, an unofficial syndicate reportedly controls every stage of the process. Officials allege that without hefty bribes, they have to wait for years without being allocated a government residence.
One official, requesting anonymity, said the amount of bribe depends on the category and location of the house. “For a regular quarter, you have to pay between Tk 30,000 and Tk 50,000, while for a higher-grade flat, the bribe ranges from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 1.5 lakh,” he said.
“To move a file, you must come to an ‘understanding’ — that’s the system now. Even if your name is on the list, nothing happens unless you pay.”
Under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, a racket in the Chattogram Housing Directorate has allegedly created an empire of corruption through bribery in the allocation of government quarters. The syndicate reportedly allocates houses meant for officers in the names of peons in exchange for bribes, thereby embezzling government funds. Those who refuse to pay face endless delays and complications in the allocation process.
Deputy Secretary Nahid Ul Mostak of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works is currently investigating a complaint regarding these allegations. Reliable sources confirmed that a meeting regarding this issue was held at the ministry on September 29. Earlier, on September 18, through two separate government circulars and one departmental order, Assistant Director Bilal Hossain, Deputy Director Rashed Ahmed Sadi, and Assistant Accounts Officer Md. Nazrul Islam were suspended.
According to reports, to facilitate housing allocation, the government issued a gazette notification on April 10, 2019. It specified which housing types correspond to various officer grades — for example, Type A for grades 18–20, Type B for grades 16–18, and so on.
However, during a District Housing Board meeting held on October 15, 2024, at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, this gazette was reportedly ignored while allocating 222 houses, leading to widespread irregularities.
A written complaint submitted on October 29, 2023, by Md. Ala Uddin, Accounts Assistant at the Chattogram Election Commission Office, named nine officials of the Chattogram Housing Directorate — including Deputy Director Muntasir Jahan, Chief Assistant Md. Mozzaffar Hossain, Senior Assistant Md. Delwar Hossain, Rajib Barua, Md. Arifur Rahman, Md. Firoz Kabir Pradhan, Steno-Typist Bakul Jyoti Chakma, Assistant Accounts Officer Pradeep Kumar Roy, and Office Assistant Sently Chakma.
The complaint alleged that the accused officials collected Tk 7.9 million (79 lakh) in bribes and unlawfully allocated high-category government quarters — for instance, first-class quarters to second-class employees, and second-class quarters to third- and fourth-class staff — in violation of the 2019 gazette.
Mojammel Haque, Head Teacher of Halisahar Ahmadiya Government Primary School (Grade 10), was allocated a D/7-D Naf CGS quarter;
Anwar Shadat, Head Teacher of Sultan Al Nahian Government Primary School (Grade 10), got D7/1C Naf CGS — both types reserved for Grades 7–9 officers.
Similarly, other employees of Grades 13–16 were illegally allocated higher-category quarters, reportedly through bribes ranging from Tk 200,000 to Tk 300,000.
Numerous quarters — such as C-2/K, C-1/D, C-1/C, and C-1/H at Sher Shah Colony — were allegedly obtained through payments of Tk 200,000 to Tk 250,000 each. A total of 37 houses (serial numbers 41–97) were reportedly distributed in exchange for bribes.
The main operators behind this scheme are alleged to be Chief Assistant Md. Mozzaffar, along with Firoz and Pradeep, who reportedly favor less deserving candidates in exchange for money — causing the government to lose significant revenue.
When contacted, Deputy Director Muntasir Jahan said that housing allocations are handled by the District Housing Board, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, with nine other members. “Allocations are made as per government rules,” he said. “Our office only performs secretarial duties and has no authority over allocation decisions.”
Regarding the ministry’s hearing last year, he admitted, “We all attended the hearing, but the complainant didn’t show up. Moreover, the ministry could not verify the existence of anyone named Ala Uddin.”
However, a reliable source said that Ala Uddin had earlier spoken with the investigating officer and met him in person — he was simply unable to attend the September 29, 2024 hearing. He intends to appear if summoned again.
The complaint further states that only those willing to pay bribes to the syndicate receive government quarters — otherwise, “getting one is like chasing a golden deer.” For instance, a third-class employee named Habib was denied the C-1/D quarter at Sher Shah Colony, which was instead allocated to a fourth-class police constable in exchange for money.
The C-type Building No. 1 at Sher Shah Government Colony was originally built for magistrates. Since they did not move in, the quarters were assigned to officials of various departments. Currently, except for about 8–10 units, most of the colony’s houses are occupied by police constables, havildars, and ASIs. Some have even constructed unauthorized structures and large water tanks, damaging the colony’s environment.
The allegations of bribery in government housing allocation in Chattogram reflect not only administrative corruption but a deeper moral crisis. The government’s ‘zero tolerance policy’ against corruption must now be implemented in action, not just in words.”
