Govt issues notices to 13,000 commercial establishments

The government has issued notices to 13,000 commercial establishments in residential areas under city corporations across the country, said Local Government secretary Abdul Malek on Wednesday.

He came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting at the Secretariat.

Malek said the meeting also decided to direct the authorities concerned to cancel the trade licenses of the commercial establishments set up in residential areas and stop the issuance of fresh trade licenses to the establishments illegally set up on government plots in city corporation areas across the country.

He also said legal actions, including conducting mobile court drives, will be taken to evict those illegal establishments if not removed within the timeframe fixed by the government.

Besides, advertisements will be published in the newspapers for evicting the illegal establishments alongside the notices, he said.

Dhaka North City Corporation has issued notices to 3015 commercial establishments while Dhaka South City Corporation 1137 notices, he said.

Besides, Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO) under the Power Division issued notices to 5534 commercial establishments while Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) 112 notices, Fire Service 13 and Narcotics Control Department 51 notices.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi City Corporation issued notices to 2,400 establishments while Khulna City Corporation 25, Sylhet City Corporation 26, Chittagong City Corporation 150, Gazipur City Corporation 376, Comilla City Corporation 40, Barisal City Corporation 58 and Narayanganj City Corporation 5 notices to illegal establishments.

Replying to a question about sending notices to the political party offices, the secretary said notices will be sent to the party offices situated in the residential areas allotted by the government.

However, Abdul Malek also said there is no directive about the privately owned assets.

The officials concerned of Rajuk, two Dhaka city corporations and Housing and Public Works Ministry were present at the meeting with Local Government Division Secretary Abdul Malek in the chair.

On April 4, the Cabinet committee had decided unapproved institutions and commercial establishments must leave residential areas in Dhaka city within six months.