The Ministry of Law has selected 18 sub-registrars through a lottery for posting to key sub-registry offices in Dhaka, launching a new system aimed at making transfers more transparent.
The 18 officers were picked from 131 ‘A Category’ sub-registrars across the country at a lottery held in the ministry’s meeting room on Tuesday morning.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said there were negative perceptions surrounding the posting of sub-registrars and that an initial step was needed to address those concerns.
He said a posting in Dhaka was regarded as a ‘prize posting’ among sub-registrars, prompting the ministry to begin the lottery-based system with transfers to the capital.
There are currently 372 sub-registrars serving across the country, while around 139 posts remain vacant.
Asked how long the selected officers would remain posted in Dhaka, the law minister said they would stay as long as permitted under service rules and as long as they performed their duties properly.
Those involved in corruption would not be retained, he added.
Responding to questions about alleged irregularities and corruption at sub-registry offices, Asaduzzaman said the ministry was monitoring the situation and urged journalists to submit complaints supported by specific evidence.
“If you have any proof, give it to us; we will take action,” he said.
The minister also said he had received allegations that a section of journalists demanded extortion money or regular monthly payments, known as ‘masohara’, from sub-registrars.
He said no one would be harassed without specific complaints, but no one would be spared if substantiated allegations were brought against them.
Asaduzzaman said the lottery was not intended to give special favour to anyone, but to establish a transparent and non-discriminatory process.
He said the ministry would assess the effectiveness of the initiative and take further measures in future to curb corruption.