Plan for 360 MW from rooftop solar on government buildings; files of 1,074 Purbachal and Jhilmil plots suspended

A plan has been taken to generate 360 megawatts of electricity by installing solar panels on the roofs of government buildings. Electricity produced would be used in the buildings concerned first, and any surplus could be supplied to the national grid. The information was given on Sunday at the second meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the housing and public works ministry of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The meeting was told that the development project proposal (DPP) for a project titled ‘Enhancing Clean Energy Access through Rooftop Solar PV in Public Infrastructure’ has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval. Under the project, 360 megawatts of electricity could be generated through rooftop solar panels.

Chaired by committee president Md Rezaul Karim Badsha, the meeting first confirmed the minutes of its first meeting. The ministry then presented progress in implementing the decisions taken at that first meeting.

The meeting was also given information on Rajuk plot allocations. It was told that from 2009 to 2024, a total of 1,413 plots were allocated on political considerations in Gulshan, Banani, Uttara, the Purbachal New Town project and the Jhilmil residential area. The largest number, 944 plots, was allocated in the Purbachal New Town project.

A committee formed following a High Court division rule on a writ petition has examined project documents to check whether there was any irregularity or unlawful work in those Rajuk allocations and has sent its report to the ministry. The meeting was told that irregularity reports have so far been received for 874 plots in the Purbachal New Town project and 200 plots in the Jhilmil residential area. File work on those plots is suspended for now.

The meeting discussed verifying the allegations of politically considered allocations and irregularities through a proper investigation and taking legal action.

The meeting also discussed quickly completing the reconstruction of the main structure of the graves of martyred president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and the unfinished beautification and cleaning work at the related garden and premises. Hope was expressed that the work could be completed by December 2026.

The meeting was also told that work is under way towards laying the foundation stone for a new secretariat at Agargaon in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on December 16. Details of public works completed in 2026 around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban were presented, and officials were instructed to work with the highest importance on the building’s maintenance and cleanliness.

State minister for housing and public works Ahmmed Sohel Manzur, Lutfozzaman Babar, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, M Manjurul Karim Roni, Md Ruhul Amin and Md Tajuddin Khan attended the meeting. The ministry’s secretary, senior officials, heads of subordinate departments and agencies, and the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat secretary were also present.