Cox’s Bazar Correspondent :
Cox’s Bazar Local Passport Office is beset with irregularities and corruption in recent days as unauthorised agents have formed a nexus with a section of corrupt officials and employees in controlling the process of issuing passports.
Instead of providing assistance to the passport seekers, the office employees and their agents intentionally create complexities, so that the people who come to the office to apply for passport issuance, renewal or any kind of correction are forced to pay bribe, the victims claimed.
Common people who come from different remote areas are compelled to agree in paying the demanded amount to the employees and agents to avoid unwanted harassments in submitting application and excessive delay in receiving the passport, sources said.
Rahul of Teknaf upazila, who was in a long queue at the passport office to drop the applications for the passports for his mother and sister, said that he had to pay Tk 2000 in bribe to the official concerned on excuse of fault in filling up the forms.
Nurul Islam, a resident of Chakoria upazila in the district, informed that he had submitted the application form but he is facing problem to provide finger print and sit for digital photo as he denied paying bribe money.
Mohammad Faruque of Pakua upazila in Moulvibazar district said that he was agreed to pay a man Tk 6000 in bribe and his application was submitted after completing the process that includes providing finger print and sitting for digital photo on the first day. Abdur Rahman from Ukhia upazila alleged that he along with his friend had applied for passports three months ago, but their passports have not been delivered yet.
Shariful Islam, the sub-assistant director said, a total of 2,520 passports were issued by the passport office here till November and Tk about 86, 92,000 were realised as revenue.
The sub-assistant director denied the allegations against them and said he is totally unaware about the passport business in his office premises.
While being asked about the involvement of a section of law enforcers, he showed ignorance about it. If any allegation is found he assured of necessary actions.
