Politicians devour Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust for over 54 years

Established to support freedom fighters and the families of martyrs, the Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust is now struggling to retain control of its own properties, with allegations of political occupation, corruption and revenue losses involving assets worth thousands of crores of taka.

The Trust began its journey in 1972 after 18 profitable industrial enterprises in Dhaka and Chattogram were handed over to it. In 1977, the Ministry of Industries transferred another 11 enterprises, while the Trust established three more on its own.

Of the 34 enterprises, only one the Purnima Filling and Service Station on Toynbee Circular Road in the capital remains operational. The others have closed amid allegations of corruption, plunder and mismanagement.

Over the past 54 years, the Trust has reportedly failed to make a profit, while influential people have allegedly used its properties to build personal fortunes.

The Trust's total monthly income from its 34 assets stands at Tk 48,021,634, or around Tk 4.8 crore which annual income is Tk 576,259,608. However, the amount it receives is reportedly far below the potential rental income, with political leaders and activists allegedly controlling many of its properties.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said properties belonging to the Trust were routinely taken over by leaders and activists of whichever political party was in power.

At markets such as Rajdhani Market in Tikatuli, Moon Complex in Patuatuli and Gulistan Hall Market, there are reportedly two management offices one representing the Trust and another run by political activists under the banner of shop owners' associations.

The official alleged that a nexus between some Trust employees and vested interest groups was depriving the organisation of crores of taka. Questions have also been raised over the actual revenue collected from Rajdhani Super Market and Gulistan Complex.

Md Ayub Ali, a wounded freedom fighter, told The Daily Observer about alleged irregularities at Trust Adhunik Hospital on Mirpur Zoo Road.

He said the five-storey building was originally built to provide housing for freedom fighters' families but was later converted into a hospital. After remaining abandoned for 27 years, it is now occupied by Trust employees.

Ayub alleged that Al-Amin, a former joint secretary of the Awami League's Hali Thana unit who later joined the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, had occupied 4,500 square feet on the hospital's ground floor. The space is allegedly being used as an auto-rickshaw garage, where batteries are charged through an illegal electricity connection.

Traders have also alleged that former Awami League councillor Moinul Haque Manju and his associate Ajmal Hossain Babul collected money from businesses using Trust-owned properties. They claimed the two accumulated wealth worth hundreds of crores of taka.

Following the events of August 5, Makbul Islam Tipu, a joint convener of the BNP's Dhaka Metropolitan unit and former councillor of Ward 40 of Dhaka South City Corporation, reportedly became president of the market, according to traders.

Gulistan Shopping Complex is another example of alleged mismanagement. In 2001, the Western Engineers Limited was awarded a contract to construct a 20-storey building on the site of the former Gulistan Naz cinema hall. The company completed only nine floors before halting construction and abandoning the project.

Its owner, SM Alauddin, is now approaching different offices seeking to complete the remaining 11 floors, while influential groups allegedly maintain control over parts of the market.

Abu Alim, a businessman in Gulistan, said market leaders were treating the Trust as if it had no authority over its own property.

He described the situation as an injustice to freedom fighters, whose welfare the Trust was established to protect.

Although 32,211 square feet of the complex's basement was designated for car parking, 24 storage units have allegedly been built there without approval. The eastern vehicle access route has also been blocked to make room for 10 shops and a blanket manufacturing unit.

Political leaders are also reportedly earning Tk 20 lakh to Tk 25 lakh a month by renting out space on the adjacent footpath for more than 600 stalls and 1,000 fruit crates.