BANGLADESH

The Anticorrpution Commission (ACC) has assigned one of its senior officials to investigate corruption charges levelled by World Bank in Padma bridge project.

ACC deputy director Jainul Abedin Shibli was handed the task at a meeting of the commission on Monday.

The deadline for the report is 30 days, the corruption watchdog's commissioner Md Shahabuddin Chuppu told bdnews24.com.

ACC director general Farrukh Ahmed had told reporters on Oct 12 that assistant director Mirza Jahidul Islam has been tasked with the enquiry.

When asked about that announcement, Shahabuddin said it was not a formal announcement.

The $ 1.2-billion fund that the World Bank committed for the country's longest bridge over the Padma River was temporarily suspended following allegations of corruptions in the execution of the project.

Even though allegations were levelled against communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, and the secretary to Bridges Division was transferred over the matter, Bangladesh government has so far denied the charges.