The government will no longer allocate state-owned land to any organization at token prices, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed announced on Tuesday.
He emphasized that land will only be handed over at its proper market value, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure accountability in the use of public resources.
Speaking to reporters after meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase held at the Secretariat, Ahmed stated, “Organizations interested in using government land will be required to pay fair value. The era of symbolic pricing is over.”
The statement came in response to a proposal presented during the meeting regarding the transfer of 54.99 acres of land—previously part of Jalil Textile Mills in Chattogram—to the Bangladesh Army for the expansion of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF).
The proposal, which suggested transferring the land for approximately Tk 17 crore, was discussed for policy-level approval.
Commenting on the matter, Dr. Ahmed said, “They have requested the land, and we’ve made it clear: it will not be given at a token price. They can receive the land, but only after paying the appropriate amount.”
He further explained that lands transferred at symbolic prices often go underutilized or are not used for their intended purpose. “Sometimes organizations apply for more land than necessary—demanding 100 acres when only 10 would suffice. This kind of excess must stop.”
Salehuddin Ahmed stressed that ensuring transparency and responsibility in the use of government land is a priority, and strict policies are essential to safeguard public assets and prevent waste.
