Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is facing allegations of irregularities and political favoritism in the leasing process of its temporary cattle markets.
Despite a call for open tenders, complaints have emerged that many of the leases were awarded to contractors allegedly linked to the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), sidelining higher bidders.
According to sources, several firms that secured leases are either owned or backed by BNP leaders or activists. For example, Surmi Enterprise, which won the lease for the Mastul Checkpost market in Khilkhet, is reportedly operated under the influence of BNP’s Dhaka North joint convener Akhtar Hossain.
Similarly, Zayan Enterprise, which got the Tejgaon Polytechnic adjacent market, is owned by Md. Moniruzzaman, a youth wing leader of BNP.
Other BNP-affiliated firms also received leases in areas such as Diabari, Mohammadpur, Mirpur-6, Uttara-10 Sector, and under the Khilkhet Elevated Expressway. In most cases, these companies allegedly received preference over higher bidders.
One notable complaint came from Mizanur Rahman Rubel, owner of China Bangla Trade Link, who claimed his firm submitted a higher bid for the Diabari market but lost to SM Brothers, a firm he alleged did not submit a required pay order.
He further accused DNCC officials, including administrator Md Ejaz and revenue officer Mamun Mia, of issuing work orders with backdated documents and accepting bribes. Rubel called the entire process "pre-arranged" and "manipulated."
In response, DNCC’s property officer Farzana Khanam said that all tenders were evaluated following the official policy and that final decisions were made by a six-member committee.
Administrator Ejaz also denied the allegations, asserting that the highest bidders were selected and the entire process was transparent. “There was no scope for favoritism,” he said.
On-site visits revealed significant infrastructural shortcomings at several cattle markets. Due to recent rainfall, areas such as Diabari and the Tejgaon Polytechnic field have turned muddy and waterlogged, creating severe discomfort for both vendors and buyers.
Traders reported a lack of drinking water, electricity, and sanitation facilities. In some cases, hotel food prices were reported to be unreasonably high.
Ahsan Habib Topu, a cattle trader from Pabna, said, “There is no proper water supply or electricity, and sanitation was only arranged today.” He also mentioned that basic amenities are missing despite repeated assurances.
In Tejgaon, loudspeaker announcements are being made well beyond designated market areas, disturbing patients at the nearby National ENT Institute. Security personnel acknowledged the disturbance but said it was up to market authorities to enforce rules.
Further complaints involve hawkers and criminal elements operating freely within the markets. Traders demanded better security and stricter control over unauthorized vendors.
Despite these issues, DNCC officials confirmed that leases for 11 temporary cattle markets have been finalised and operations are underway. However, growing concerns over transparency and on-ground management threaten to overshadow preparations for the upcoming Eid sacrifice.
