Sub Registrar lottery transfers break syndicates: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parlia-mentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the government’s lottery-based transfer system for Sub Registrars aims to break syndicates in offices perceived as corruption hubs.

Speaking at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said Dhaka postings were considered “prize postings” and 18 of the country’s 131 ‘A’ category Sub Registrars had been selected for Dhaka through the first lottery.

“We cannot transform everything overnight from a negative state. We do not claim that, nor is it possible. We have to start somewhere. In this process of starting, Dhaka city represents the most coveted-or ‘prize’-posting,” he said.

The minister said the lottery would not be the sole basis for assigning the selected officials. He would personally interview them and assign them to specific areas based on their competence and ability to handle the workload.

He said the lottery system was the beginning of a broader reform process, under which officials would be transferred on a rotational basis to areas often perceived as breeding grounds for corruption.

“We will assign them on a rotational basis to those specific areas within the department ... to break up the syndicates operating there,” Asaduzzaman said.

Asked whether the initiative would reduce corruption, he said, “Certainly. We expect it to; we are optimistic.”

There are currently 372 Sub Registrars across the country, with 139 posts vacant. Recruitment is underway through the Public Service Commission.

The minister said Dhaka postings would follow service rules, generally for two years, but officials found involved in corruption would not be retained.

He urged the media to provide specific evidence of corruption, saying the ministry had investigated allegations published in the press but lacked sufficient evidence to establish some of them.

“I am striving to ensure that no one is harassed without specific allegations; at the same time, if a specific allegation arises, no one will be spared,” he said.

He also alleged that the ministry had received complaints of journalists demanding money from Sub Registrars, saying action would be taken against anyone found guilty.

The minister said action had been taken against 10 Sub Registrars over the past six months.