Road Transport and Communications Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that money collected from transport operators on roads through mutual understanding should not be considered extortion, but if anyone is forced to pay, that constitutes extortion. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a press briefing at his office in the Secretariat while responding to journalists’ questions.
The minister explained that transport owners’ and workers’ associations collect funds for their welfare, describing it as an unwritten practice rather than extortion. He acknowledged that there may be debate over how the money is used but emphasized that the process is based on mutual consent. He also noted that influence often depends on which group or party is in power, giving dominance to affiliated labor organizations.
Robiul Alam further said that no external group is allowed to exert pressure or collect money within areas under the ministry’s jurisdiction. If owners collect funds by agreement, the ministry will review whether anyone is being deprived or if the funds are being misused. He also discussed traffic congestion caused by roadside markets and said measures will be taken to bring order.
আমার দেশ অনলাইন প্রকাশ : ১৯ ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০২৬, ২০: ১৯ আমার দেশ অনলাইন সড়ক পরিবহন ও যোগাযোগ মন্ত্রী শেখ রবিউল আলম বলেছেন, সড়কে বিভিন্ন পরিবহন থেকে সমঝোতার ভিত্তিতে টাকা নেওয়া হলে সেটা চাঁদা নয়, বরং টাকা দিতে বাধ্য করা হলে সেটা চাঁদা। বৃহস্পতিবার বিকেলে
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