Bribes for death certificate: citizen outcry in DNCC public hearing

He begins shedding tears while talking about having to "pay bribes" to acquire death certificate during DNCC's public hearing

Complaints over having to submit to bribery simply to acquire the death certificate have echoed in the halls of Dhaka North City Corporation, or DNCC, during a public hearing.

The DNCC held a hearing on citizens services with residents of 18 wards on Tuesday.

Sattar Chowdhury, a resident of DNCC Ward No. 50, was given the floor to speak and he bemoaned being subject to the corrupt practice.

DNCC Ward No. 50 joined the areas under the DNCC in 2018.

On Tuesday, teachers, imams, market committee leaders, local resident society leaders, representatives of youth and students, and locals attended the hearing.

Sattar said he had been unable to acquire a trade licence for the last three years due to “fee complications”, even after seeking assistance from the regional office.

Underlining the harassment people face for birth registration and death certificates, he said: “Recently one of my school teachers died. I had to spend Tk 7,000 in bribes for the death certificate.

“If you seek birth registration, it’s supposed to cost Tk 50 or Tk 100. But you’ll find that they’ll charge you Tk 200-Tk 300.”

While speaking, Sattar was reduced to tears at one point.

Others brought up matters involving playing fields, parks, mosquitoes, street lights, among other issues.

Ashraful Haque from Ward No. 53 said: “We’re not receiving holding taxes properly, and the reason for that is mainly bribery. It’s a huge problem for Bangladesh. We’re not paying taxes for bribes.

“It seems a Tk 300,000 tax is reduced to Tk 120,000 if we pay Tk 50,000 in bribes.”

A resident of Ward No. 43, Abu Sayeed Mia deplored not receiving proper services despite paying taxes.

“We’ve been part of the city corporation since 2018, this is 2025. Have you seen any visible development in these 18 wards? You’re receiving taxes but are you providing us with services?” he said.

Sadek Ahmed Ripon lamented dirty water immersing Abbasia Road stretching from Ashkona Madina Tower to Dakshinkhan, hindering people going to mosque or children heading for schools.

Mentioning that this often leads to accidents, he asked the authority to repair the road before the rainy season arrived.

DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz was supposed to attend the hearing from the outset, at 11am, but he arrived at 1pm.

He lamented for arriving late and said he was at “another meeting”.

Addressing the issue of not being able to provide services properly, Azaz said the addition of 18 wards expanded DNCC’s size but its manpower had, in fact, been cut.

He also cited lack of equipment needed to address issues with repairs.