Bangladesh, May 22 -- The shipping ministry has ordered the transfer of 16 officials and employees across two agencies after they were found to have been absent from duty without authorisation.

State Minister for Shipping Md Razib Ahsan ordered the transfers after evidence of absenteeism was found against them, according to a media statement issued on Friday.

He recently inspected the offices of different departments and organisations under the ministry in Barishal and Dhaka.

Those penalised were working under the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).

Thirteen of them were employed under the BIWTA, and three under the BIWTC.

Besides pointing out the absences wi...