Six DSCC markets draw zero bids

Syndicates of ruling party leaders and activists are controlling the tender process of makeshift cattle markets of both the city corporations of Dhaka for Eid-ul-Azha, putting the two city corporations in loss.

Of the 13 makeshift cattle markets in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), six failed to get a single offer in three biddings.

Sources at DSCC said the syndicate is forcing general bidders to keep out from bidding, and they are also not taking part to run the cattle markets without any bids in the name of 'khas collection'.

If there are no bids for a cattle market in three bid calls, the respective city corporation operates the market under the provision of khas collection.

Last year, DSCC earned Tk 5.31 crore from nine makeshift cattle markets awarded through tenders, and made Tk 2.55 crore from five markets run as khas.

Sources at DSCC said though on paper a committee was in charge to run the cattle markets, but in reality, ruling Awami League men controlled the markets as DSCC had no capacity to operate those.

DSCC's third tender for seven cattle markets, which did not receive bids in the last two calls, was opened yesterday.

Only two offers were received for the Meradia Bazar cattle market, but the other six received no offers.

Among the offers of Meradia, both are local Awami League leaders. Haji Shah Alam, president of ward-3 Awami League, submitted the highest bid of Tk 68.30 lakh. He claimed that last year they faced Tk 36 lakh in loss, and that is why others did not show interest in the bid.

Last year, Shah Alam won the bid at a price of Tk 81.24 lakh.

The other makeshift cattle markets, which did not receive any offer in the last three consecutive biddings, are at Brothers Union play ground, eastern side of Kamalapur Stadium, Armanitola playground, Dhupkhola East End Club playground, Donia College field, Dholaikhal Truck Terminal and Sadeque Hossain Khoka playground.

Aside from those, DSCC received around Tk 2.65 crore in offers for the six other cattle markets in earlier biddings this year, now awaiting final approval, sources said.

DSCC Chief Estate Officer Abdul Malek said the decision about the markets that drew bids will be taken through a tender evaluation committee.

Nearly all of the highest bidders for these markets are ruling party men.

Playground of Maitry Sangha adjoining Uttar Shahjahanpur Khilgaon railway Bazar was won by Abdul Latif, president of Shajahanpur thana Awami League.

The Jigatola-Hajaribagh playground was won by Md Zahidul Islam Razib, brother of ward-22 Councillor Tariqul Islam.

Rahmatganj playground market was won by vice president Haji Shafi Mahmud on behalf of Rahmantganj Muslim Friends Society. He has close ties with Awami League.

The market adjoining Buriganga embankment was won by Abul Hossain Sarker, president of Kamrangirchar Awami League.

The Syampur Balur math market was won by Kadamtali thana Jaitya Party General Secretary Sheikh Masuk Rahman.

Contacted yesterday, DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon said he was not aware of the matter yet, but he would get himself aquainted with all the details within a few days when the matter will be presented before him. He said last year they earned revenue near their target through khas collection.

REVENUES DROP IN DNCC

Among the seven makeshift cattle markets in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), highest offers for two cattle markets were lower than the previous year.

Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, vice president of Uttarkhan Awami League, won the bid for Uttara sector-15 open space with a Tk 2.21 crore offer. The winning bid of last year for it was Tk 3.75 crore.

While contacted, Shafiqul said he had to face around Tk 2.5 crore in losses after taking lease of the cattle market last year, for which he offered a lower amount this year. He said it is not true that a syndicate is controlling the bid. Rather, he won it through a transparent bidding process.

DNCC Chief Estate Officer Aminul Islam recently said they cancelled the cattle markets that did not draw any offers, and invited tenders for three more cattle markets.

“We have given a government price for a tender. During the bid, we consider the government rate [fixed by the average of the previous three years' rates],” he said, adding that offers of six cattle markets were higher than the government price.