Project Implementation Officer (PIO) and District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) offices have turned into havens for mismanagement and corruption. These offices serve as hubs for embezzling millions through commission trades, falsified billing for incomplete work, and fraudulent allocations for non-existent mosques, madrasas, and shrines under various social safety net programmes.

The country's disaster management sector remains a virtual hostage to these local officials, whose direct interference deprives citizens of genuine development. Following an internal audit that exposed these irregularities, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has finally initiated action.

The audit revealed a broad pattern of financial misconduct, specifically accusing DRROs and PIOs of pocketing unspent government funds instead of returning them to the treasury.

The ministry has already identified irregularities worth approximately 150 million Taka and begun departmental proceedings. Officials confirmed plans to file departmental cases and involve the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further investigation.

Although government rules mandate that any unspent project funds must return to the treasury after 30 June, many officials ignore this, retaining control over funds meant for General Relief (GR), Test Relief (TR), and housing for the poor.

Current records show 3,024 pending audit objections, with 930 classified as extremely serious. Sources suggest that 300 to 400 PIOs and DRROs nationwide are involved in these schemes. While the ministry has issued show-cause notices to 29 officials, it maintains a strict stance on the remaining offenders.

Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Saidur Rahman Khan said that the administration would not tolerate such misconduct.

He emphasised that anyone holding unspent money has been identified, and major cases will transfer to the ACC, noting that the culture of impunity from previous administrations has ended.

Additionally, the ministry is addressing administrative stagnation, as some officials have remained at the same station for five to seven years despite a three-year limit. Some PIOs in 11 sub-districts have even filed lawsuits in administrative tribunals to block their transfers.

Secretary Khan stated that the ministry is compiling a list of those overstaying their tenures and that new policies will allow for swifter transfers. Despite reports that some corrupt ministry staff help suppress allegations or destroy files, the current leadership vows to bypass these barriers to ensure accountability.