According to a latest investigation by the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB), in the first few months of 2007, about Tk 300 crore has been transacted in bribe while this amount was Tk 943.48 crore in 2006.

TIB yesterday released its findings at a roundtable in the conference room of Chittagong Chamber.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt General (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, who was present at the function, urged the government to go for tough action against the corrupt practices and irregularities.

TIB Trustee Board Treasurer M Hafiz Uddinm Khan presided over the discussion.

"Bribing is not taking place openly, but it is very much taking place in secret through the agents of the corrupt officials... Even in many cases, the rate of bribe has increased. Both the importers and exporters are forced to bribe the port officials," the TIB investigation report revealed.

The TIB investigation was released at a time when some of the port-users are claiming that the performance of the port has improved in the recent days due to some measures taken by the caretaker government.

At the same time, there is a report that some international shipping lines are planning to declare the Chittagong port as a dangerous one following the desperate act of the daredevils.

The TIB report revealed that in the changed situation, after the take-over by the present caretaker government, ships are forced to pay Tk 10,000 to officials for berthing at the port jetty or anchoring at the outer anchorage.

But, in case of over-drafting vessels, this rate sometimes crosses Tk 100,000 through "understanding", the TIB said, adding that the rate of bribing was almost similar in 2004 and 2006. In some particular cases, the rate was raised in 2006.

It was found in the TIB investigation that the extortion and irregularities have been "institutionalised" at the seaport--country's commercial lifeline.

The TIB put forward some recommendations for elevating the country's prime port to a modern and efficient one.

These include amendment to Port Authority Act 1976, introducing online system in customs clearance, imposing ban on all kinds of political activities on the port premises and introducing a zero-tolerance policy in dealing with irregularities and corruption.

Speaking at the roundtable, the leaders of the Chittagong Chamber urged the government to turn the port into a public limited company.

Chamber President Safuzzaman Chowdhury, former BGMEA president SM Fazlul Haque and FBCCI Director Amirul Haque were, among others, took part in the discussion.