Bangladesh
TIB Report TIB report on bribery is speculative: BRTA
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 6 March 2024: BRTA has termed the report presented by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) as 'speculative' on issues related to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) regarding motor vehicle registration, fitness certificate issue, route permit issue and renewal, among other issues.
BRTA Chairman Noor Mohammad Majumder made this comment in a press conference organized at the Banani office of BRTA regarding the protest of TIB report.
BRTA Chairman said, "The image of the government including BRTS has been tarnished by the report of TIB. It is requested to refrain from publishing such speculative information, which tarnishes the image of the government along with creating confusion in the public mind. However, the constructive and practical recommendations made by TIB will be taken into consideration. I will work on it." BRTA strongly protested against the publication of such objective information and rejected the report, he said.
In response to the question whether BRTA can be called a 100% bribery-free institution, Noor Mohammad Majumdar said, "There is no such thing as 100% bribery-free. But no one can swear that bribery does not happen at all. No one can say with 100% oath. If it does, action will be taken against it. So there is. All countries of the world have measures against irregularities and corruption."
On Tuesday, TIB released a research report on 'Integrity in Privately Owned Bus Transport Business'. According to the study, BRTA officers and employees illegally collect Tk 900 crore annually from the owners of buses and minibuses. In all, bus-minibus owners pay about Tk 1,060 crore annually to various parties as contributions and bribes.
