Minister finds BRTA office in disarray
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, in a surprise visit yesterday, detected various anomalies in issuance of driving license, fitness certificate and tax token in the Mirpur office of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in the city.
During the visit, he found dozens of dalals (lobbyists) in the office, serving the people there in lieu of money. He also found some BRTA officials not discharging their duties properly.
Quader caught two lobbyists red-handed when they were serving two persons in exchange of money at the fitness counter. The two were handed over to an on-duty magistrate, though many others fled the office sensing the minister's presence.
Many people there complained to the minister about widespread irregularities and dominance of lobbyists in the office. They said they didn't get any service without paying money.
“If you pay, your job will be done quickly, otherwise you will be coming here day after day,” one of them told the minister adding that, he had been visiting the BRTA office for months to get his driving license.
Entering the room of motor vehicles inspector Abul Hasan, the minister found no one there while customers crowded outside the room.
Many customers also complained that two employees, Nazrul and Alam, of BRTA chairman's office in Alenbari frequently visit the Mirpur office and give service to the people without following any rules.
Quader immediately asked BRTA Chairman Ayubur Rahman Khan, who was accompanying him, to take action against the two employees.
He also visited most of the office rooms and expressed dissatisfaction over the overall service standard and cleanliness.
Warning of similar surprise visits to the office in future, he asked the BRTA officials to refrain from engaging in irregularities and to render services to people without any harassment.
“I will not tolerate any irregularities anymore. Stern action will be taken if I find any officials involved in irregularities and harassment of people,” he warned.
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