Public Funds Wasted: UGC’s Luxurious Houses Lie Empty for Years
Over 100 million BDT was spent to build a residential area for the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2001. Yet, three large houses meant for its chairman and members have stood empty for years. These homes, located in Mirpur 14, Dhaka, are now falling apart.
An inspection on July 18 showed moss on walls, broken doors, and rusted grills. The main gate is damaged and there is no furniture inside. Nine other buildings in the same area, built at the same time, are actively used by UGC staff.
The area was built to house 67 of the UGC’s 400 officers and employees. The chairman’s duplex house is about 3,400 square feet. Each of the two houses for members is 2,600 square feet.
The chairman’s house has never been used by any chairman. An official lived there until 2010, then it became empty. Ten members lived in the other two houses between 2002 and 2015, but they have been vacant ever since.
The UGC invited new chairmen and members to use these houses. However, most declined the offer. Professor Haseena Khan, a former UGC member, said she had her own home in Gulshan. Other members, like Professor Abu Taher and Professor Biswajit Chanda, also chose to stay in their rented homes.
Officials receive a house rent allowance, which is 55 percent of their basic salary. This allows them to rent homes in areas they prefer. Taking this allowance while not using government housing raises questions under ‘The Bangladesh Allotment Rules, 1982’. The UGC has not invited anyone to these houses since 2023.
Professor Mamun Ahmed was appointed UGC chairman on March 16. He has not moved into the official residence. He lives in his pre-allocated flat in the Dhaka University area. Chairman Mamun Ahmed said the Mirpur and Dhanmondi official residences are “uninhabitable.”
On July 19, the UGC sent a letter to Dhaka University. It asked for a budget to renovate Professor Mamun Ahmed’s university flat. This has raised questions about using UGC funds for a Dhaka University property.
Professor Mamun Ahmed stated that discussions were held to create a small “office space” there. This would only happen if it followed rules. He also said there are no plans yet for the neglected Mirpur houses.
AKM Abdul Awal Mazumder, a former government secretary, called this “100 percent illegal.” He said repairing a university flat with UGC funds is wrong. He added that leaving the Mirpur houses empty for years is also a wrongdoing. Neglecting public property is unacceptable.
The Director of UGC’s General Services and Engineering Department, Zafar Ahmad Jahangir, declined to comment.
