BRTA receives corruption complaints at public hearing

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) held a public meeting at its Keraniganj premises on Thursday to hear complaints by consumers against the authority. BRTA chairman Md Nazrul Islam and other senior officials were present to hear BRTA customers complain of obstructive staff and of being harassed by middlemen. “In April this year, when I brought my car to the BRTA Mirpur office for a fitness check-up, an official refused to give me the fitness certificate as there was a discoloured patch on the car," Humayun said. "However, when I offered him a bribe, he immediately prepared the fitness certificate.” The BRTA chairman said a probe committee would investigate the allegation against the staff member, who was later identified as Omar Faruk. "If the official is found guilty then necessary steps will be taken,” he said. The hearing was also told how some BRTA staff members were making it very difficult to collect retro-reflective registration number plates, vehicle registrations, driving license applications and renewal forms, and fitness certificates. In total, a dozen people questioned BRTA services and submitted their complaints.