ACC seeks constitutional power to be truly independent

FE Team | Published: May 24, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) in its annual report 2013 has sought constitutional power, so that it can work effectively in curbing grafts, reports UNB.
ACC has failed to prove many corruption cases due to apathy of other government institutions concerned, said officials.
"ACC in different parts of the world is a constitutional body. However, in the case of Bangladesh, there is no such provision in the constitution delineating the power of ACC, as seen inter alia, in the case of Election Commission and other constitutional bodies," the report said.
Therefore, it noted, the constitution of Bangladesh can have in it clearly delineated the powers and activities of the commission.
The annual report, submitted to the President on May 21, also said the past experiences reveal that ACC often has to continue with probes on the basis of poor reporting and charge-sheets for lack of cooperation, apathy and incapacity of other government institutions.
"Without a mechanism for exchange of information among these government organisations, it is not possible to validate many of the cases," the report stated.
It further said: "In order to instigate a culture of cooperation within the government agencies and organisations, appropriate legislation, in harmony with national laws and international good practices, needs to be enacted."
About giving it constitutional power, ACC chairman M Badiuzzaman said there are some constitutional bodies in Bangladesh and some of them have been formed following laws, but their rules of business are similar.
He, however, said if the national anti-graft body is mentioned in the country's constitution, the foundation of ACC would get stronger and its acceptability would be increased to all.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman also said ACC should be brought under constitutional framework to keep it free from all sorts of influences and make it a truly independent anti-graft body.
"If ACC can be acknowledged as a constitutional body, a specific budgetary allocation will be given in the national budget that will help it overcome the financial weakness, and political pressure on the commission can be minimised," he said.
ACC in its report stressed the need for strengthening collaboration and partnerships with various national and international organisations to enhance its efficiency and capacity.
"The government shouldn't strangle the freedom of ACC by proposing that it cannot sign any agreement, receive assistance or loan without permission," said the report.
About the commission's power to collaborate with different organisations, ACC chairman Badiuzzaman said many foreign partners, like - GIZ, World Bank and ADB, provide support to ACC. "There's no interference of the government."
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said ACC feels 'psychological barrier' to sign deals with foreign organisations. "It has been observed when ACC signed agreement with World Bank regarding Padma Bridge issue."
He said ACC should increase partnership with non-government organisations and development partners to increase its capacity to fight corruption.
ACC report also underscored the need for setting up its offices in all districts to accelerate activities.
Currently, ACC is running with only 22 integrated district offices.
Describing the commission's activities, the annual report revealed that about 1,598 graft cases were disposed of by the special judge courts during 2011-13. Of these, 811 cases were filed by ACC, while remaining 787 were filed during the period of the now-defunct Bureau of Anti Corruption (BAC).
Courts in their various verdicts convicted accused in 690 cases. The rate of conviction was 47.1 per cent in the cases filed by ACC and 39.14 per cent in case of those filed by the abolished BAC.
The report said ACC has taken actions against 95 officials and employees for wrongdoing and violating rules up to December 2013. Among them, 18 have been given major punishments, while 18 given light punishments.