BRTA Office in Satkhira Accused of Bribery for Number Plates
BRTA Office in Satkhira Accused of Bribery for Number Plates. Widespread corruption allegations have surfaced against the BRTA Satkhira office, sparking anger among vehicle owners and raising concerns about accountability within the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). Complaints are pouring in regarding illegal bribe demands from service users who come to collect motorcycle number plates, despite having already paid the official government fee through bank deposits.
Read Also: BRTA Service Portal
Unethical Practices in Number Plate Distribution at BRTA
Each day, the Satkhira District Commissioner’s office courtyard is filled with motorcycles as owners queue up to receive their number plates. However, what should be a straightforward process is now being overshadowed by unethical practices. According to eyewitness accounts, officials from the BRTA number plate section are allegedly demanding an additional Tk 100 to Tk 200 from citizens under the pretext of “installation fees,” a demand that contradicts the official BRTA policies.
One such victim, Md. Siddiq Hossain, an expatriate from Khanpur village, shared his humiliating experience:
“I returned from abroad and purchased a motorcycle. After completing all formalities and receiving a confirmation SMS, I visited the BRTA office for the number plate. But they demanded Tk 100 for installation. I argued that I had paid the full government fee. Yet, I was forced to pay, or else I would have been mistreated.”
This incident isn’t isolated. Many other BRTA service users in Satkhira have reported similar irregularities, prompting calls for urgentinvestigation.
Journalists Expose the Bribery Scandal
Sheikh Rezaul Islam, President of the District Journalists Association, voiced his frustration and revealed further irregularities:
“When I went to get my vehicle’s number plate, they asked for Tk 200. After I introduced myself as a journalist, they refrained from charging me. But they took Tk 100 from my colleague. Such behavior is disgraceful, and we’re organizing a human chain to protest against this corruption.”
He further criticized the BRTA officials’ behavior, describing it as arrogant and unjust, particularly towards those who refuse to pay the illegal charges.
Denials and Contradictions from BRTA Officials
When BRTA Satkhira staff were questioned, the initial response was denial. Saiful Islam, an employee from the number plate section, denied all knowledge of such acts:
“We are not aware of such incidents. Show us footage and I’ll accept any punishment.”
However, moments later, he contradicted himself, saying:
“I don’t know whether my colleague, Shariful Islam, is taking money or not.”
Such ambiguous statements suggest a tendency to evade responsibility while indirectly acknowledging wrongdoing.
Shafiqul Islam, in-charge of the number plate distribution, echoed a similar tone:
“We only provide number plates to those who receive SMS notifications. We do not charge any money. If you have footage of us taking money, action can be taken.”
Official Response from BRTA Authority
Responding to the public outcry, Engineer K. M. Mahabub Kabir, Assistant Director of BRTA Satkhira Circle, explained that third-party vendor companies are involved in number plate services:
“We have three vendor companies working here. The company responsible for number plates is contracted externally. If written complaints are submitted with proper names, we will forward the matter to higher authorities.”
He clarified:
“All official BRTA payments are processed through banking channels. There is no provision for cash transactions or on-spot payments.”
Why Is Corruption Thriving at BRTA Satkhira?
Local residents and conscious citizens are raising an important question:
How can such illegal practices continue under the noses of authorities for over five years without any action?
The issue clearly points to a lack of monitoring, weak internal audits, and a culture of silence within the BRTA system. Even though complaints are raised, the absence of disciplinary action only strengthens the hands of corrupt elements.
Demands from the People of Satkhira
Amid growing frustration, locals are demanding:
- A fair and transparent investigation
- Immediate suspension of BRTA staff involved in bribe-taking
- Strict monitoring of third-party vendor operations
- Public disclosure of findings and actions taken
BRTA Satkhira Bribery Allegations
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | BRTA Number Plate Section, Satkhira DC Office |
| Illegal Amount Demanded | Tk 100–200 |
| Official Fee Paid? | Yes, through banks |
| Alleged Staff Involved | Saiful Islam, Shariful Islam, Vendor Company Representatives |
| Public Action Taken | Human Chain Protest by Journalists, Complaints by Citizens |
| BRTA Response | Denial, shifting blame to vendor companies |
| Citizen Demands | Transparent probe, removal of corrupt staff, improved service standards |
Conclusion
The BRTA Satkhira bribery scandal highlights the urgent need for institutional reform. Citizens expect public service bodies like BRTA to operate transparently, efficiently, and without exploitation. If this culture of illegal bribe-taking continues, the very essence of public trust in government institutions will be lost.
It’s time for the authorities to act decisively, not just with words but with results. Those responsible for undermining public services must be held accountable to set a precedent for zero tolerance against corruption in Bangladesh’s transport sector.
