Video of government official calculating bribes on calculator goes viral

A video of Debiganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Babul Chandra Roy allegedly demanding a 15 percent commission as a bribe against allocations for various development projects has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.

The 4-minute-and-47-second video shows the PIO interacting with several project chairpersons and Union Parishad (UP) members inside his office. In the footage, Babul Chandra Roy is seen using a calculator to determine the 15 percent commission based on the financial allocations of the Test Relief (TR), Kabikha (Food for Work), and Kabita projects.

At one point in the video, Roy tells a UP member, "The total amount for 8 tons of wheat at Tk 32,000 per ton comes to Tk 2,56,000. A 15 percent commission on that totals Tk 38,000." When the member requests a reduction in the commission amount, the PIO replies, "UP members never make a profit. I have been working as a PIO for a long time, and I have never heard any UP member say they made a profit."

In another segment of the clip, when a TR project allocation is mentioned as Tk 1,62,000, the PIO demands Tk 24,000 as commission. When the respective member claims that 100 percent of the work was completed, Roy says, "Previously they didn't allow you into the council, and from now on, you won't allow them either—evened out."

The footage also captures demands of Tk 18,000 against a Tk 1,20,000 project, and Tk 56,000 from another individual for multiple projects combined. Towards the end of the video, individuals are seen counting money and placing cash in front of official files.

Babul Chandra Roy has denied the allegations, stating, "They came to collect bills without completing the assigned work. That is why such conversations took place between us."

Debiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Indrajit Saha stated that the matter has come to the attention of the administration and has been reported to the Deputy Commissioner and other senior officials. He added that an investigation will be conducted locally to take necessary action.