Let us look at the numbers. In 2004, Rajuk initially announced that it would allocate fifty of the plots. It received a total of 535 applications, eighty of which came from ruling alliance politicians or their relatives. Upon receiving more applications from those connected to the ruling alliance than it had plots to allocate, Rajuk decided to then allocate a further fifty plots. In the end, a lion's share of the 100 plots ended up being allotted to people either in or closely linked to the government.

It is obvious that Rajuk decided to give priority to those with political connections. Every single politically important or connected applicant was allotted a plot. Only two went to opposition politicians.

This means that the hundreds of ordinary applicants got nothing. Are we to believe that all the politicians were more deserving of plots than the non-politicians? No one can believe such an absurd proposition. This is not even to get into the questions of how many of the politically connected applicants already have land in Dhaka which should disqualify them from receiving a new allotment.

What are the guidelines that govern the allocation of land? Rajuk under the guidance of the Works Ministry must put in place, make public, and implement a procedure to ensure that land is fairly allotted. And, in view of controversies raging over prime land allotment issue from time to time, it is highly imperative that a fair system of plot distribution were adopted if we are to have the impression imprinted in the public mind that elected representatives are there to serve people rather than themselves.