Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday said corruption is omnipresent at every stage of development carried out by the capital’s development authority Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). The transparency watchdog unearthed evidence of extensive bribery right from the stage of land and design approval to promotion and recruitment of RAJUK officials.

TIB presented the report at a press conference held at its office at Midas Centre in the capital. TIB deputy manager (research and policy) Fatema Afroz and programme manager (research and policy) Farhana Rahman presented the report. The report revealed irregularities and corruption in approving and implementing exemptions and building designs. In addition, illegal contracts were prepared and unregulated money transactions took place at various stages, the report said.

The report claimed that RAJUK officials, brokers, and a section of service takers have a three-way deal where fixed rates are set for bribes. Members of the unholy nexus formed between brokers and RAJUK officials have amassed fortunes while virtually holding hostage the citizens who naturally wish to get their designs passed quickly.

According to the rules and regulations, it should not take more than 45 days to get approval for a design. As TIB discovered, however, because of the syndicates’ manoeuvres, the process often takes a year or longer.

The field data in the report indicates that none of the respondents received approval for their plans within the deadline. Recipients of the service complained that the delays occur if they cannot use influence to speed up the processing. Genuine papers may remain neglected in such cases.