The Directorate of Government Accommodation in Chattogram is facing a severe manpower shortage, leaving officials and employees struggling to ensure proper facilities for the residents of more than 4,000 government flats, houses, and apartments in the port city.

Speaking to employees, it was learned that several new housing projects have been taken in Chattogram for government officers and staff. Modern flats have recently been constructed in Panchlaish, Katalganj, and Agrabad.

Compared to the past, the department's workload has increased significantly, said staff members.

The department's regional office is located in Government Office Building-02 in Agrabad.

According to sources, the organisational structure includes 31 positions, but only 10 employees are currently working, including four officials temporarily attached from the head office.

At present, around 21 positions remain vacant.

House allocation, monitoring, and even vacating a house require clearance from the department.

Although the Dhaka office has several inspectors, there are none in Chattogram. As a result, existing staff must handle house inspections, complaint investigations, report filing, and legal matters.

The department manages houses, flats, and colonies across different parts of the city. Government employees are allotted houses based on their job grades.

However, due to the manpower shortage, regular monitoring of these residences is not possible, according to the office.

Meanwhile, many employees have been waiting for house allocation for a long time but have not received one, forcing them to rent houses at high prices in residential areas.

Given the circumstances, some lower-level employees are allegedly involved in a syndicate that arranges house allocations in exchange for money, said staffers.

Saiful Islam, a senior office assistant at Income Tax Department of Circle-02, said, "After much effort, I finally got an apartment, but there is no water supply. We have to struggle to fetch water ourselves."

A ninth-grade police officer added, "Despite numerous attempts and lobbying, I have not been able to get a government house. I have given up hope after repeatedly visiting the office. I am forced to rent a private house at a high price."

Contacted, Muntasir Jahan, deputy director, Directorate of Government Accommodation in Chattogram, said, "We are facing a severe manpower shortage. Even if we want to provide services, we fail due to a lack of staff. We don't have any inspectors here. I have to personally handle everything."

However, he denied allegations of irregularities and syndicates in house allocation.