People getting service without bribes

After a public hearing last September by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), people of Savar Upazila are getting better services from the local land office without having to pay bribes, says an ACC press statement.

The statement made the claim quoting Savar's civil society members who spoke of the improvement in the government service to ACC through a videoconference.

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"I could do the mutation of my own land on time without having to pay any money," Nazrul Islam, a lawyer and member of Transparency International Bangladesh's corruption prevention committee, told ACC.

"Besides, I had sent 39 cases for settlement, and each was disposed of properly without any bribe," Islam was quoted as saying in the statement sent Thursday.

Land offices across the country are notorious for accepting bribes and delaying services to the public.

"Government officers must provide public services as per the citizens' charters. This is their constitutional duty," said ACC Commissioner Dr Nasiruddin.

No leniency would be tolerated, he added.

"Those who get salaries from the taxes paid by the citizens have no option to show negligence in providing public services," said the commissioner.

He said every three months, a videoconference with the local corruption prevention committee, civil society, and government officials would be held to make the best use of technology in reducing people's harassment in availing public services.