The government is losing out on huge amounts of revenue as unregistered and smuggled motorcycles are being operated across the country. These unregistered vehicles are often being used for subversive activities, which has created an additional headache for the police. Such illegal motorbikes ply with “on test” or “applied for registration (AFR)” signs on their backs in lieu of the registration plates for indefinite periods of time, often for years. Most of the motorbikes have been smuggled from a neighbouring country through the porous border, sources said.
To curb the menace, the government has decided to register motorcycles through dealers. All the newly sold motorcycles are currently being registered through the dealers in the country, communications secretary MAN Siddique told The Independent on Tuesday.
He said the government has also decided to conduct a census to obtain the accurate number of illegal motorbikes plying with “on test” or “AFR” signs instead of the legitimate number plates with registration numbers.
Earlier, on June 21, the communications ministry decided to run the survey for a month and ordered the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to put on hold registration of motorbikes during the counting.
A mobile court drive was also begun along with the survey, but was stopped later because of the Holy Ramzan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
“We have reopened the motorcycle registration system earlier and ordered the authorities to resume it, taking into consideration the sufferings of the people, especially those from the middle income groups, caused by the dearth of public transport in Dhaka. The census of illegal and smuggled motor cycles is meanwhile continuing,” Siddique said.
“We are updating our database of registered motorcycles now. We will also resume the drive of the mobile courts within a short time after completing the survey. We want to obtain the revenues properly. We are losing out on revenues because of the illegal operations of motorcycles. The census will help the government in this regard,” the communications secretary explained.
Admitting that illegal smuggling of motorcycles was rampant, Siddique said, “We are monitoring that as well. The local offices of the BRTA have already started taking action against them. But it will take time to stop it as organised gangs of smugglers along our borders are actively involved in such operations. Law enforcement agencies are also active in preventing them,” he added.
“The ministry has given orders to the BRTA and its local offices to begin registration of motorcycles by dealers. Only the dealers can submit proper documents for their imported vehicles. It will also prevent illegal registration of motor vehicles through fake documents,” he added.
Meanwhile, some motorcycle dealers of Dhaka and different districts complained that the BRTA and its local offices are charging an additional Tk. 1,500 to Tk. 3,000 as bribes beyond the fixed fees for registering their motorcycles.
Referring to the allegation that bribes are being sought, the secretary said, “We are aware of the matter and are trying to stop it. But it is rather difficult to stop it altogether as there is a shortage of manpower. Most of the officials impose additional charges. We are punishing and transferring them. Nevertheless, we have to function with such unscrupulous officials. Action will be taken.”
For example, every motorcycle dealer has to pay an additional Tk. 2,500 per motorcycle to the assistant director (engine) of BRTA of Tangail district for registration.
As per BRTA rules, a total amount of Tk. 17,555 is required for registration of each motorcycle, but the dealer has to pay Tk. 20,055 for each motorcycle.
BRTA officials in Tangail have reportedly appointed one Milon to collect the money, complained some of the dealers. When contacted, Subir Kumar Shaha, AD of the Tangail office, told The Independent over telephone that there are many Milons in the town. “I have not appointed anyone called Milon to collect the money. There is no possibility of any irregularities in our office in connection with the registrations,” he claimed.
At present, there are an estimated 300,000 motorcycles registered under the BRTA Dhaka Division (Dhaka Metro LA or HA serials). This figure was 277,000 last June, according to BRTA records.
However, the actual number of motorcycles in Dhaka is double or three times this number. A large number of motorcycles plying in Dhaka includes those that have joined the fleets of two-wheelers coming from different districts into the capital. The government is planning to take steps to drive these out of the city.
-With The Independent input
