Corruption
It has been reported in the press that some officials of Titas Gas Company have agreed to return their stolen money, about Tk 400 crore to the public exchequer. About this company there is a saying among the Dhakaites that "even the walls and files in the Titas Gas offices take bribes". During the last days of the previous government, there was a hot news item in the press about a meter reader of this company. He was so much influential and powerful that he could change course of actions and decisions of the company. It was an interesting gossip at that time. None could imagine the scale of corruption in this office before revelation of such stories. However, the godfathers of these people never come to public glare.
Not only Titas Gas, there are many other utility service companies like electricity, municipality and water supply. The offices of these companies are dens of corrupt people.
The people of these companies compelled customers to be dishonest. Let me put an example how they compel the honest customers to be dishonest. If you do not listen to the meter readers, they will send fictitious bills to your home, much higher than what you might have actually utilised. Now receiving these bills you get disturbed and puzzled. You rush to the office, meet the higher authorities and complain about over billing. The boss will give you a very simple solution by saying "the amount of your bill has already been recorded in the register, we cannot alter or change this figure. Please pay this amount and complain in writing, I will see what I can do for you". Now with this assurance you come back home and think about it. You know that money deposited in the government account cannot be retrieved by any means. So there are two options open before you, either you, continue to pay higher bills as long as you can or concede defeat to the meter reader. Your sons and daughters would also advise you by saying "baba dorker nai, please pay some money to the meter reader, every month, he would give smaller bills, even smaller than what you consume!
I suggest that the assets of all officials of these utility service departments be checked and brought under scrutiny.
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