Shawdesh Desk:

Service seekers have to pay bribes starting from Tk 500 to Tk 5 lakh at every step in the district registrar and sub-registrar offices, a study of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Monday.

The observation came in the findings of a research of the TIB named “Good Governance in Land Document Registration and Services: Challenge and Ways to Overcome”.

The TIB revealed the findings of the research at a press conference at TIB’s Dhanmondi office this morning.

“Any land related service at the sub-registrar offices is rarely provided without bribes,” the report claimed.

It also said, “Most of the deed writers charge higher fees than the usual as the service seekers have little knowledge about land related issues.”

“Services at the district registrar and sub-registrar offices of the country have become equal to corruption,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said at the press conference.

He also said these offices are one of the most corrupt sectors in the country.

Revealing the amount of bribe for internal recruitment process in the sector, the TIB Executive Director said, “Bribes starting from Tk 20,000 to Tk 20 lakh are transacted for recruitment, promotion and other processes.”

The TIB recommended that the government should put importance on institutional competency in this sector to check corruption and irregularities.

It also emphasised the need for the digitising entire land administration and management sector.