HEFEI, April 4 -- A former head of provincial department in east China's Anhui Province faced a public prosecution over bribery initiated by a local People's Procuratorate Thursday.

Chen Lianggang, former head of Department of Land and Resources of Anhui Province, was charged with taking a bribe worth of more than nine million yuan (about 1.5 million U.S. dollars), according to People's Procuratorate of Suzhou City.

Chen used his official power to interfere with project contracts and to help companies and people obtain land and promotions while acting as head of policy making division, deputy head and head of Department of Land and Resources, and deputy secretary of Party committee of Huaibei City from 2004 to 2013. In return, he took bribes from these companies and people, the indictment said.

His case was probed by People's Procuratorate of Suzhou City since December 2013.