B Mirror Desk : The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation into allegations of embezzlement involving a bill of Tk 1,600 crore from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). An enforcement team from the ACC’s headquarters carried out this investigation at the LGED head office on Wednesday.

ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Md. Akhtarul Islam stated that a complaint was received regarding the embezzlement of approximately Tk 1,600 crore by means of a fraudulent bill. Following verification, the ACC launched an enforcement operation from its headquarters. During this operation, the team engaged with the chief engineer and other engineers at the LGED head office to gather essential documentation.

Additionally, they collected records pertaining to all projects awarded to the contractor company mentioned in the complaint. The enforcement team will compile a comprehensive report for the commission after thoroughly reviewing all collected records.

In response to allegations of harassment and irregularities in land service provision, the Jessore Integrated District Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission carried out an enforcement operation at the Nehalpur Union Land Office in Manirampur Upazila, Jessore district. Initially, the undercover enforcement team gathered information regarding the services offered by the land office. A victim revealed that while his application stated a fee of 19 thousand taka, the union land assistant officer demanded 80 thousand taka. Additionally, it was reported that the same officer had extorted an extra 4 thousand taka from another individual for land services. The operation also uncovered that any visit to the office for other matters required payment to the union land officer.

Furthermore, it was discovered that the individual named in the complaint had unlawfully employed four outsiders in the office without notifying the authorities. The operation confirmed the validity of the initial complaint, and the enforcement team will compile a detailed report for the commission to recommend further action. Concurrently, the Jhenaidah Integrated District Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission conducted a separate operation regarding allegations of corruption at the Nakol Union Land Office in Sreepur Upazila, Magura district. The ACC team interviewed several service recipients who reported that they were compelled to use brokers to obtain services, a situation that has been communicated to the relevant authorities for resolution.through brokers at that office – which has been informed to the concerned authorities to eliminate.

Following allegations of name-calling, tax collection for land development, and other land-related services, the Bagerhat District Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission conducted another enforcement operation. This was prompted by claims of harassment and bribery involving service seekers at the South Jiudhara Union Land Office in Morelganj Upazila, Bagerhat district. During the operation, undercover team members engaged with various service recipients to gather information. They discovered that the Union Lands Government Officer only performs tasks if the government fee exceeds the officially prescribed rates for Namjari, DCR, and Dakhila.

Furthermore, the team noted a significant negative perception among the local community regarding both the officer and the office assistant. Notably, no Citizen Charter was found in the office during the operation. The ACC team has urged the Assistant Commissioner (Land) in Morelganj, Bagerhat, to enhance monitoring efforts..