In the wake of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to be sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister within the next day or two. However, as the official residence of the Prime Minister is not yet ready, he will initially move into the State Guest House Jamuna.
The transition will take place once the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, vacates the premises. Sources from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works indicate that it may take approximately one and a half to two months for the new Prime Minister to move in, as the building requires necessary renovations and a fresh coat of paint.
Temporary Measures and Housing Allowance
Until the official residence is fully prepared, the new Prime Minister will be entitled to a monthly housing allowance of 100,000 BDT, along with other ancillary benefits provided by the state. While high-ranking officials have remained tight-lipped, information from the Ministry confirms that these logistical preparations are currently underway.
The Search for a Permanent Residence
Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government during the July mass uprising, the former official residence, Ganabhaban, was designated as the “July Smriti Museum” by the interim government. This necessitated the search for a new permanent site.
On July 7, a high-level committee led by Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, was formed to identify a suitable location. The committee, which included officials from the Department of Architecture, the Parliament Secretariat, and the Special Security Force (SSF), considered several options:
- Parliament Area: A proposal to merge the current residences of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
- Defense Ministry Area: Utilizing land within the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar defense zone.
- Minto Road: Considering the integration of existing bungalows in the area.
Initially, the committee leaned towards the Speaker’s and Deputy Speaker’s residences in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar due to their proximity to the Prime Minister’s Office and lower impact on city traffic. However, the interim government eventually decided to leave the final decision regarding the permanent residence to the newly elected government.
Legal Provisions for Prime Ministerial Housing
According to current laws regarding the Prime Minister’s housing:
- The state provides and maintains an official residence at no cost to the Prime Minister.
- If the Prime Minister chooses to live in a private residence, they receive 100,000 BDT monthly for rent.
- The government covers all utilities (electricity, water, gas) and provides an annual maintenance allowance equivalent to three months of the housing rent for private residences.
- Security measures, including the construction of temporary guard sheds at private homes, are also state-funded.
As Tarique Rahman prepares to take the oath of office, the immediate focus remains on readying Jamuna as a temporary seat of power before a long-term decision is reached by the incoming cabinet.
