After its landslide victory in the 13th National Parliament elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is all set to form the new government.
Preparations are underway to allot 36 official residences for the ministers and ministers of state of the new government, which include 24 bungalows and 12 apartments.
These residences are located in the Bailey Road, Minto Road and Hare Road areas of the capital, collectively known as “Montri Para” (“Ministers’ Area”).
Some bungalows and apartments have already been evacuated. Others are currently occupied by interim government advisors, retired judges and senior government officials.
BNP President Tariq Rehman is going to take oath as the new Prime Minister of the country on Tuesday. His cabinet members are also expected to take oath on the same day.
Cabinet size expected to be 35-37 members
According to key party sources, the new cabinet may have 35 to 37 members. Of these, 26 to 27 can be full ministers, while 9 to 10 can be appointed as ministers of state. One or two additional members may be included at the last moment.
Officials at the Directorate of Government Housing under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works said letters have been issued to several existing occupants, requesting them to vacate the residence in the ministers’ area to ensure accommodation for the incoming cabinet. Some have already moved, while others have indicated they will do so within a few days.
Director of the Government Housing Directorate, MD Asaduzzaman, told Prothom Alo that preparations are underway to prepare bungalows and apartments. Some are already vacant, and others will also be vacated soon.
He said that the renovation work may take some time before the arrival of ministers and ministers of state.
Notice issued to retired judges and officers
On Sunday, the directorate sent letters to four retired judges asking them to vacate their government bungalows as soon as possible and giving them a week’s time to do so. Another retired judge has been asked to step down by next month.
Former Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Shahjahan Mahmood has also been asked to vacate his bungalow at 39 Minto Road.
Former local government adviser Asif Mahmood Shojib Bhuyan and special assistant to the chief adviser Faiz Ahmed Tayyab have already vacated their official residences.
Officials said the consultants currently living in the bungalows are expected to vacate soon, leaving all 24 bungalows vacant.
Meanwhile, five apartments in Ministers Apartment-3 on Bailey Road are already vacant. Seven more apartments are expected to be vacated within a few days, officials said.
Renovation in progress
On Sunday, officials from the Directorate of Government Housing visited various bungalows and apartments in the ministers’ area to assess their condition and determine renovation requirements.
Officials also said that the bungalow at 29 Minto Road is being renovated for the opposition leader, who can live in it if he wishes.
Sources in the directorate told Prothom Alo that in the previous administration, not all cabinet members opted for official residences, with some choosing to live in their private residences. In such a situation, the currently ready bungalows and apartments are expected to be sufficient for the new ministers and ministers of state.
Officials estimate it could take one to two months for the full renovation to be completed before the residences are completely ready for use.