A Project Implementation Officer (PIO) in Nalchity upazila of Jhalakathi has been accused of taking a bribe over the allocation of soil for a government graveyard development project.

A written complaint was submitted to the Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday by Mohammad Oliul Islam, a resident of Ward No. 5 of Nalchity municipality.

According to the complaint, a TR project worth around Tk 1.15 lakh was allocated for filling soil at the government graveyard in Mallikpur under Nalchity municipality. However, the Upazila Project Implementation Officer, Awlad Hossain, allegedly took Tk 9,000 as a bribe citing additional expenses related to the project.

The complainant said they were compelled to pay the money due to various pressures and to ensure smooth completion of the project. The complaint also described such bribery in a religious development project as unethical and contrary to public service.

Oliul Islam urged the district administration to conduct a proper investigation and take necessary action against the accused official.

Contacted for comment, PIO Awlad Hossain hung up the phone after identifying the caller as a journalist. Further attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Md Momin Uddin said the matter has been assigned to the Deputy Director of Local Government for investigation. Necessary action will be taken according to the rules after receiving the investigation report and informing the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.