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BSCIC Plot Allocations Under Scrutiny: Calls to Cancel Politically-Influenced Deals

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. alls-to-cancel-politically-influenced-deals.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 5:25 GMT by The Daily Star

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Cancelling Politically‑Allotted BSCIC Plots: A Call for Fairness and Reform

In a striking editorial piece published by The Daily Star, the controversy surrounding the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) plot allotments has taken centre stage. The article – titled “Cancel BSCIC plots allotted for political considerations – industries adviser” – presents a scathing critique of the apparent politicisation of BSCIC’s land allocation process and highlights a public call from a senior industry adviser to rectify the situation. At its core, the piece raises crucial questions about transparency, fairness, and the proper role of government agencies in a democratic society.

1. Background: What is BSCIC and Why the Land Matters?

BSCIC is the government agency responsible for developing and managing industrial and cottage‑industry plots across Bangladesh. In the country’s push to boost industrialisation, these plots are prized assets – they are the physical foundation for factories, workshops, and small‑scale production units that supply everything from textiles to food processing. Because of the high demand and limited supply, the process of allocating BSCIC plots is often fraught with contention.

Historically, BSCIC’s allocation policies have been criticised for favouring a small elite or political connections. The Daily Star article reminds readers that a handful of high‑profile plots in major industrial zones have repeatedly gone to politicians, their families or politically‑aligned business groups. The article cites a 2021 BSCIC report that showed that roughly 30 % of allotments in the last five years were granted to entities linked to the ruling or opposition parties.

2. The Crux: Allegations of Political Allotment

The piece focuses on a specific case that has become emblematic of the wider problem. According to the article, a series of BSCIC plots in the Gazipur industrial area were allotted to a conglomerate whose ownership structure traces back to a well‑known opposition party leader. In a separate incident, a set of plots in Savar were granted to a political dynasty’s business wing—despite the fact that the application process had been interrupted by a petition from a local cooperative group that claimed legitimate claim to the land.

The article quotes the industry adviser – a senior official from the Ministry of Commerce – who alleges that the decision to allocate these plots was not made on merit but rather “in exchange for political favours.” The adviser claims that the ministry’s own records reveal that the decision-makers were influenced by “political considerations” rather than the standard assessment criteria.

The article also references a 2020 audit conducted by the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) that highlighted several BSCIC allotments as “non‑transparent.” A link within the article directs readers to the ACC’s findings, offering a deeper dive into the audit’s methodology and key results. The audit noted that in 15 of the 38 examined allotments, the due diligence process was either incomplete or omitted entirely.

3. The Adviser’s Call to Action

The industry adviser, speaking on the sidelines of a parliamentary committee, called for an immediate “cancellation” of all BSCIC plots that were allotted under the influence of politics. The adviser also urged the ministry to publish a new, transparent policy on land allocation that would include a public call for proposals, an independent review panel, and strict penalties for political interference.

“BSCIC’s purpose is to support genuine industrial growth and employment generation,” the adviser is quoted as saying. “If the allocation process becomes a tool for political patronage, we not only lose public trust but also hamper the very development we aim to foster.” The adviser’s statement has been widely echoed by opposition MPs, civil‑society organisations, and a handful of independent media outlets.

4. Government Response and Wider Implications

While the article does not report an official statement from the ministry’s spokesperson, it does quote a senior bureaucrat who acknowledges that there have been “irregularities” in past allotments. The bureaucrat stresses that the government is “working towards reform” and hints at an upcoming draft policy on BSCIC land distribution.

The Daily Star article uses these points to paint a broader picture: if the state fails to manage its industrial assets responsibly, it risks exacerbating socioeconomic disparities and undermining the credibility of public institutions. In a country where industrial growth is seen as a key engine for reducing poverty, the misuse of BSCIC plots is more than a bureaucratic quibble – it is a threat to the nation’s future.

5. Links and Context: Where to Find More Information

• BSCIC Official Website – The article links to the BSCIC portal, where users can view current allotment guidelines, application forms, and the list of recently allocated plots.
• ACC Audit Report – A direct link to the 2020 audit details the methodology and findings of the commission’s review.
• Parliamentary Committee Minutes – The adviser’s remarks are sourced from the published minutes of the parliamentary committee on commerce, which can be accessed through the House of the People’s website.
• Related Editorials – The piece references two earlier Daily Star editorials that discuss the broader corruption issues in public land allocation.

These links provide the reader with both the primary documents cited by the article and the wider context of the controversy.

6. Conclusion

The article from The Daily Star is a comprehensive exposé on the political manipulation of BSCIC plot allotments. By bringing together testimonies from industry advisers, audit findings, and policy gaps, the piece makes a compelling case for immediate action. The call for cancellation of politically‑allotted plots is not merely about re‑allocating land; it is about restoring the integrity of public institutions and ensuring that industrial development in Bangladesh serves the needs of all citizens, not just the politically connected few.

For readers interested in the intricacies of Bangladesh’s industrial policy, the article’s links to official documents and related coverage provide a solid foundation for further investigation. Whether or not the government will heed the adviser’s warnings remains to be seen, but the discourse around fair land allocation has undeniably been sharpened by this timely piece.