Government to Halt All Symbolic-Priced Land Allocations: Economic Adviser

Economic Adviser to the Government, Salehuddin Ahmed, has announced that no government land will henceforth be allocated to any organisation at symbolic or nominal prices. Any institution wishing to acquire such land must now pay its full and proper market value.

He made these remarks on Tuesday, 29 July, during a press briefing following the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, held at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat.

During the meeting, a proposal was tabled regarding the transfer of 54.99 acres of land from Jalil Textile Mills in Chattogram to the Bangladesh Army for the expansion of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF). The issue was brought forward for policy approval at an estimated price of approximately BDT 17 crore.

In this context, Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed clarified:

“They have expressed interest in acquiring the land, but we have made it unequivocally clear that land will not be allocated at a symbolic price. They can obtain the land, but they must pay the appropriate value.”

He added that providing land at a symbolic price often results in its misuse. In many cases, institutions apply for land far exceeding their actual requirements—for instance, requesting 100 acres when 10 acres would suffice.

“This kind of practice must be stopped,” he emphasised.

The adviser further stated that the government has adopted this principled stance to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of state-owned land. He stressed the necessity of a strict approach to the proper utilisation of public resources, underlining the importance of responsible management to safeguard national assets.