ACC drives in 4 Districts: Irregularities found at BRTA offices

The Anti-Corruption Commission found irregularities in Bangladesh Road Transport Authority's offices in Dhaka's Ekuria, Khulna, Sylhet and Pabna yesterday.

The anti-graft watchdog disclosed the finding in a press statement, three days after Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader promised a corruption-free BRTA.

The ACC conducted surprise drives at the BRTA offices upon receiving complaints through its hotline (106), the statement read.

At Ekuria, the ACC found irregularities in issuing fitness certificates, driving licences and registrations, it said.

During the drive, a BRTA mobile court caught a broker at the Ekuria office and sentenced him to 15-day in prison and fined him Tk 8,000.

At Pabna office, the ACC did not find any BRTA official, the statement read.

It did not mention what irregularities it found at Khulna and Sylhet offices or what actions would be taken by the anti-corruption watchdog.

“The ACC will act against corruption and irregularities if discipline is not restored at the BRTA,” said Mohammad Munir Chowdhury, director general (administration) of ACC.

There is no alternative to automation and digitalisation to bring changes to the BRTA, he added.

The Daily Star correspondent could not reach BRTA Chariman Moshiar Rahman over phone after repeated attempts.

WHERE ARE THE TEACHERS?

ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud yesterday visited six schools in Chattogram and found only one out of eight teachers at a primary school.

During the visit at Kattoli Nurul Haque Chowdhury Government Primary School in the port city around 9:00am, Mahmud found only the acting headmaster.

He also noticed students whiling away around the school premises, Chattogram ACC Deputy Director Lutful Kabir Chondon told The Daily Star.

Many parents of the students told the ACC chairman about their dissatisfaction over the absenteeism of the teachers, Lutful added.

The ACC chairman then went to Bhatiari Government Primary School where two out of 11 teachers were absent.

“We have a special focus on the education sector, because it is involved with everything, including the country's development,” he told government officials at Chattogram Circuit House in the afternoon.

He said many school teachers had not been attending classes regularly while the managing committees were also not discharging their duties properly.

He directed the officials concerned to strengthen their vigilance to bring order to the education sector.

“If you are forced to do any unethical work by higher officials, then tell them to give it [the instructions] in writing. Otherwise you will be held responsible for it.

“If you have any written documents or orders, then the ACC will not take any action against you,” Mahmud said.

He directed the Chattogram Customs Commissioner to provide a list of businessmen who were fined for over-invoicing related to money laundering.

Talking about the tax office, he said the tax officers should work to improve the public perception of them.

Our Chattogram correspondent contributed to this report.