Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister has directed the concerned authorities to be vigilant so that the general public do not face any harassment or delay in the registration of births and deaths.
The minister warned of severe punishment for taking extra money or harassment for money in the registration of births and deaths, and also issuance of certificates.
He made the statement while addressing a views exchange meeting at the conference room of the ministry on Sunday to expedite the online birth and death registration process.
The LGRD minister said, “People are harassed in different places for a silly or common mistake. We receive many complaints coming from our embassies in different countries. Due to various complications, people are not getting registration related services.”
He further said that the objective of the Sunday’s meeting is to make birth registration easier.
“No one will be exempted if the general public faces any kind of harassment at any level in obtaining birth registration. Birth registration has become a very burning issue lately. Various complaints are coming at different times. Work is being done to solve all the problems,” he added.
While responding to a question from reporters regarding charging extra money for registration, he said that there is no chance to charge extra money for registration of births and deaths in excess of the fee fixed by the government.
“If anyone is found to be involved in such activities, strict action will be taken against them,” he said.
Regarding the server problem, the minister said that if there is any problem in the server, it should be resolved quickly.
He advised the officials of the birth and death registration office to make changes in the ongoing software as well as add new technology.
The meeting was attended by LGRD Senior Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed, Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Islam and senior officials of Local Government Division, officials of concerned ministries, agencies, Director General of birth and death registration office and representatives of all city corporations, upazila and union parishads.