Bangladesh’s Ministry of Social Welfare has formed a three-member investigation committee over published allegations of corruption and irregularities involving four officials of the Department of Social Services. The allegations appeared recently in several national newspapers and on social media, according to a ministry press release issued on Sunday.

The ministry said the committee was established to ensure a fair, impartial and objective examination of the reported allegations. It has instructed the committee to submit a detailed investigation report, including its opinion, within seven working days.

In the release, the ministry said the current government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. It said strict administrative and legal measures have been taken to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance, and that no form of irregularity or corruption will be tolerated. The ministry added that an institution will not bear responsibility for an individual officer’s personal misconduct.