The PMO has sent out a circular directing all government and semi-government departments to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be an official from the PM’s office.

The directive, given towards the end of last month, has been sent to all departments under the ministries.

The PMO letters says: “Several people are engaged in unlawful lobbying in various departments by forging the signatures of officials of this department or identifying themselves as such over the phone.

"Everyone is being alerted to this and is being advised to verify the identities of such callers before proceeding to resolve matters as per law.”

The circular has given three phone numbers – 9114270, 8142700 and 01755552021 – where people can call for verification.

"We have given such a directive. There have been specific complaints. We have also heard of some such cases,” Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, PMO Director General (Administration), told bdnews24.com, confirming the circular.

He admitted that soliciting favours had become commonplace.

“We have friends and relatives. We know people in various departments. It has been found that phone calls are being made, purportedly by officials from the Prime Minister’s Office."

"But investigations have revealed that no officials of the names mentioned are there in the PMO,” he added.

He said this was tarnishing the government’s image and governance was being hampered.

“We have given phone numbers for verification. Firm steps will be taken against anyone caught giving a false identity.”