The Dhanmondi Lake area is controlled by the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) with the exception of the Rabindra Sarovar.

Cultural activists have alleged that previously, when the Sarovar was under the DCC, the rate was a lot cheaper.

"When the amphitheatre was under the DCC, we just needed to submit Tk 1, 000 to Tk 1,500 to the DCC for a half shift. Now Dynamic are charging in the region of Tk 5,000 for that same venue and for one shift only," said an official of a theatre troupe. "Dynamic have divided the shifts in two slots - from 6am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm. If anyone wants to take both the shifts it will cost Tk 10,000," he added.

"The fees do not cover the electricity expenses. Dynamic charge another Tk 200 to Tk 500 to bring 'illegal' connection by attaching a wire to the main electric pole," claimed the official.

When contacted, Tushar, the Dynamic official in charge of the Rabindra Sarovar renting section, confirmed that groups needed to pay Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000 Taka for one shift and an extra Tk 500 Taka for electricity supply. He however could not give any satisfactory answer to why the charge was so high given the rate under the DCC.

"The place has been given to a private operator but we do not know whether there is any restriction from the DCC regarding the limit for rent," said DCC's zonal executive for Zone 5 Mahbub Ahmed. Mahbub asked this correspondent to talk to an executive engineer of the zone but he refused to say anything claiming that he was not permitted by the chief executive officer (CEO) of DCC to talk to the press.