Bus owners-employees more powerful than govt: TIB



Special Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Barta24.com

Photo: Barta24.com

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The transport sector is plagued by rampant corruption. They are seen as more powerful in controlling the workers. The Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB)Dr. Iftekharuzzaman commented that the government is powerless to them.

He made this comment at the research report release ceremony organized at Midas Center on Tuesday (March 5) afternoon.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that 80 percent of the owner- labor unions are under the control of the government party, the entire sector is held hostage due to the influence of political parties. By this, the passengers are deprived of the desired service. They are being harassed in various ways. It is clear that BRTA has been a total failure. They have failed to fulfill their duties.

According to the report, an average of Tk. 17 thousand 619 per bus has to be paid in bribes for bus registration, certificate issuance and updating. An estimate of extortion of Tk. 900 crore 59 lakh per year from this sector is highlighted.

Tk. 24 crore 97 lakh are extorted annually on roads by individuals or groups in party identity, Tk. 33 crore 48 crores in the name of pourashava and city corporation representatives and political workers for parking on roads, Tk. 87 crore 57 lakh from traffic police to avoid cases, owners for entering and exiting terminals And the additional amount of Tk. 12 crore 76 lakh collected by the labor organization was collected illegally.

Mohammad Noor –e- Alam, research fellow of TIB, said that 60.2 percent of the buses plying on the road are privately owned. According to BRTA's 2023 report, 98.4 percent of passengers travel by private transport. The total number of privately owned buses is 80 thousand 521.

He said, the purpose of the research is to review the integrity of the transport business. The study started in May 2023 and will continue until February 2024. The survey was conducted from September 11 to October 22, 2023. 51 bus terminals were monitored.

He also said that 18.9 percent of buses do not have registration, 24 percent do not have fitness, 18.5 do not have tax tokens, 22 percent do not have route permits. 82 percent of the workers were not given any job. They have to work an average of 11 hours a day, up to a maximum of 18 hours; they are not given any overtime allowance.

Among others present were Research and Policy Director Mohammad Badiuzzaman, Advisor (Executive Management) Sumaiya Khair. 

Three doctors are absent for a long time causing sufferings to the patients



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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The government has taken various initiatives to ensure the presence of doctors and officials in government hospitals. However, a different picture is seen in Barishal's 50- bed Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex. Three doctors of the hospital have been absent for a long time. As a result, patients have to suffer due to lack of proper healthcare.

Allegedly, medical services at the hospital have come to a standstill due to lack of strict supervision. Therefore, many patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Abu Bakar Siddique joined Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex as Medical Officer on July 1, 2011. He has been absent since January 4, 2012 after staying at the hospital for just five months. Similarly, Dr. Soma Halder joined the health complex on October 8, 2014. She has also been absent since November 5, 2015, after serving for one year.

Sources also said that Dr. Shahana Rahman joined the hospital on November 25, 2023. She has not been coming to the hospital for the past 8 months.

Although the three mentioned doctors are absent for a long time, no appointments are being made in their place. As a result, patient services are constantly disrupted. Besides, the hospital authorities are also in trouble.

A responsible source of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that this alarming situation has arisen due to the non-punishment of those who are negligent in fulfilling their duties. Also there is a lack of strong supervision.

Upazila Health Officer Dr. Bakhtiar Al Mamun said that Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq and Dr. Soma Halder have been given letters to join the workplace several times. But they are still not back to work. A departmental case is ongoing against them. In addition, Dr. Shahana Rahman has been given several letters to join the work. The Civil Surgeon's office has also been informed about the matter.

He also said that the information of doctors is sent to higher authorities and ministries every month. As such, the ministry is aware of the matter. According to the latest information, one doctor may be out of a job. Of the remaining two, one is abroad, the other I don't know where. Regarding the appointment of doctors, he said, appointment is not possible until the posts are vacant. As a result, it will take time to find a new doctor.

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Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken three people, including Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, into custody from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. The other two coordinators are Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumdar.

A DB source confirmed this information on Friday (July 26) night.

DB said three coordinators have been brought to the DB office for security and interrogation purposes.

All three of them are students of Dhaka University.

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What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, everyone has to wait a little with the curfew till public life becomes normal. We are looking at whether the curfew can be relaxed.

He said these things while talking to reporters about the ongoing situation on Friday (July 26) night.

The Home Minister said, we are seeing if the curfew can be relaxed. Police BGB, Army are working. We have to wait a little until public life becomes normal. People should be patient. He also said that a decision may be made subject to discussion on Saturday (July 27).

At that time, he mentioned that there were brutal killings in the name of the movement, and he said, who will take responsibility for this loss of the country? BNP said they are not involved in violence. So who did it? It is a question of the people.

Regarding the arrest of the quota activists, the Home Minister said that the quota agitator leaders themselves are suffering from insecurity. For their safety, law enforcement has been called. Further action will be taken after the inquiry.

Incidentally, the government clamped a curfew from 12 midnight on July 19 to keep the situation normal around the quota reform movement. The army was also deployed.

The curfew was later relaxed for a specified period but has not yet been lifted completely.

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Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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