HC orders probe into rent of MRTL canteen

The High Court (HC) on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to investigate the matter over fixing Tk 1,000 as monthly rent for a 7,580-square feet staff canteen at Uttara Depot of Mass Rapid Transit Line-6.

The High Court bench of justices Mustafa Zaman Islam and Md Atabullah passed the order after hearing the petition on Thursday.
The HC asked the roads and transport secretary to investigate the matter and submit a report within a month.
The court also issued a rule seeking an explanation as to why a circular announcing that the canteen is being rented out for Tk 1,000 per a month should not be declared illegal.

Barrister Tanvir Ahmed stood for the petitioner while Assistant Attorney General Salim Azad represented the state.

On March 14, a DMTCL circular signed by General Manager (Stores and Procurement) Nazrul Islam was issued, renting out the canteen for Tk 1,000 per month and Tk 12,000 per year excluding income tax and VAT.

The circular mentioned that the tender of Khandaker Enterprise has been deemed acceptable by the DMTCL. Later, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tanvir Ahmed filed the writ challenging the decision of the DMTCL.    —UNB