S. A. Shofiee, Sylhet :
Sylhet 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. 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, Instead of providing assistance to the passport seekers, the office employees and their agents intentionally create complexities,
Sources said 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,
Shamim of Golapgonj 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 4000 in bribe to the official concerned on excuse of fault in filling up the forms.
Anisur Rahman from Nobigonj upazila alleged that he along with his friend had applied for passports three months ago, but their passports have not been delivered yet.
Suhel Ahmed, a resident of Biswanath 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.
Uliur Rahman of Sylhet 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.
Kofil Uddin Bhuyan director of Sylhet passport office 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.
Sylhet 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. 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, Instead of providing assistance to the passport seekers, the office employees and their agents intentionally create complexities,
Sources said 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,
Shamim of Golapgonj 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 4000 in bribe to the official concerned on excuse of fault in filling up the forms.
Anisur Rahman from Nobigonj upazila alleged that he along with his friend had applied for passports three months ago, but their passports have not been delivered yet.
Suhel Ahmed, a resident of Biswanath 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.
Uliur Rahman of Sylhet 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.
Kofil Uddin Bhuyan director of Sylhet passport office 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.
