The consulting firms try to catch those clients who come to the DoE for the environmental clearance that is required to set up any industry or other important establishment.

Soliciting business from those seeking DoE clearance for their projects has become a common practice under the present government, department sources said. The consulting firms are well connected to the ruling BNP high command and other sectors of the government, the sources added.

DoE officials are often disturbed by the representatives of the consulting firms but do not have the power to act against them due to their political connections, according to sources.

"One official tried to have them removed a few days ago but he did not succeed. Rather he was threatened with transfer from the Dhaka office," said a DoE official, "So nobody tells them anything now."

Last Sunday this correspondent found around 10 consulting firm representatives in the first floor reception room, where they solicited business from anyone who entered.

One representative offered to prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other papers required for environmental clearance at a cheap rate. Under the Environment Protection Regu-lation, environmental clearance is mandatory before most major projects can be approved.

Around 40 firms have licences for such consultancy work, but it is only the four to five firms who have the support of the ruling party that are permitted to work out of the DoE, sources said.

The deputy director of the Dhaka divisional office denied that there were any consulting firms working out of the office.

The director general of the department could not be reached for comment.