Feature

Satellite-AID Conducted by YES at PP Office in Ctg

Tabassum Mokhduma

Youth Engagement and Support (YES), a dedicated group of young, spirited volunteers of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) conducted a two-day Satellite-Advice and Information Desk (Satellite-AID) with the support of the Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCCs), Chittagong Metropolitan and TIB to provide passport related information and advice to the public free of cost at the Chittagong Regional Passport Office on 30 & 31 January, 2008.

Mr. Nazrul Islam, Deputy Director, Chittagong Regional Passport Office, inaugurated the programme on 30th January at 10.a.m. as the chief guest. Dr. Q. M. Ohidul Alam, Member, CCCs, Chittagong Metropolitan, gave the welcome speech. Mr. Islam in his speech said, “Every service receiver need to be made aware of the information related to that particular service and only correct information can help make the people aware”. He also thanked the organizers for such an encouraging and helpful initiatives.

Mr. Alam further said, “To establish transparency in any service sector, it is important to make the service receiver as well as the service provider aware. Especially in the passport sector, one must know what information to be given, how the application form should be filled etc. Only then it will be possible to ensure citizen's right. Moreover, if the public knows about proper rules and regulations, they'll not have to face troubles created by the middlemen”.

Mr. Islam formally inaugurated the programme by distributing passport related information and leaflets prepared by YES and CCCs, Chittagong Metropolitan among the people who came to the passport office. Every day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the work of this Satellite-AID was held.

The 2-day programme was conducted by the YES members Akash, Humayun, Taukir, Munna, Shahnoor, Biswajit and Tabassum Mokhduma.

(The writer is a YES member, TIB)