Implement Vested Property Return Act: Rights groups
Dhaka, May 25 (UNB) – Rights groups here on Friday urged the government to expedite the implementation process of the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Act 2011 with a view to ensuring social discipline and justice by returning those lands to the genuine owners.
“The government will have to make people aware about the provisions of the law through state-run BTV, private television channels and newspapers and let them know what needs to be done to establish their rights,” said adv Rana Das Gupta, general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu, Bouddha, Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), addressing a press conference at the National Press Club.
Kamal Lohani, Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, adv Subrata Chowdhury, honorary director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director of Association of Land Reform and Development Shamsul Huda, and general secretary of Sammilito Samajik Andolon adv Tobarak Hossain were present.
The rights groups demanded extending deadline to 150 days from the existing 90 days to go to the tribunal regarding any complaints after the publication of the gazette on vested property list (Ka and Kha).
Adv Subrata Chowdhury said the gazette of the vested property list was supposed to be available at upazila-level by May 10, but in reality, people are not getting it.
“Even it’s not available on the government website. If people don’t get the gazette, how they will go to tribunal. So, time should be extended to 150 days,” he said.
Kamal Lohani said people have been suffering a lot since long centering the issue. “It’s now being delayed again. We apprehend that people might be deprived of their due rights.”
On November 28 last year, Parliament passed the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Bill 2011 aimed at smooth return of the vested properties to their rightful owners.
The law has provisions to prepare district-wise lists of vested properties and publish those through gazette notifications within 120 days of enactment of the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Act, 2011.
If any property included in the lists of vested properties is actually not a vested property, its owners would have to put a claim on the said property with the concerned upazila or mahanagar committee within 90 days of publication of the gazette notification.
The rightful owner must file an application with proper documents and papers to the concerned authorities seeking release of the property from the list of vested properties.
“The government will have to make people aware about the provisions of the law through state-run BTV, private television channels and newspapers and let them know what needs to be done to establish their rights,” said adv Rana Das Gupta, general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu, Bouddha, Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), addressing a press conference at the National Press Club.
Kamal Lohani, Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, adv Subrata Chowdhury, honorary director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director of Association of Land Reform and Development Shamsul Huda, and general secretary of Sammilito Samajik Andolon adv Tobarak Hossain were present.
The rights groups demanded extending deadline to 150 days from the existing 90 days to go to the tribunal regarding any complaints after the publication of the gazette on vested property list (Ka and Kha).
Adv Subrata Chowdhury said the gazette of the vested property list was supposed to be available at upazila-level by May 10, but in reality, people are not getting it.
“Even it’s not available on the government website. If people don’t get the gazette, how they will go to tribunal. So, time should be extended to 150 days,” he said.
Kamal Lohani said people have been suffering a lot since long centering the issue. “It’s now being delayed again. We apprehend that people might be deprived of their due rights.”
On November 28 last year, Parliament passed the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Bill 2011 aimed at smooth return of the vested properties to their rightful owners.
The law has provisions to prepare district-wise lists of vested properties and publish those through gazette notifications within 120 days of enactment of the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Act, 2011.
If any property included in the lists of vested properties is actually not a vested property, its owners would have to put a claim on the said property with the concerned upazila or mahanagar committee within 90 days of publication of the gazette notification.
The rightful owner must file an application with proper documents and papers to the concerned authorities seeking release of the property from the list of vested properties.
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