Cabinet approves ACC Act amendments
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
The Cabinet approved Monday in principle the amendments to Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Act' 2004, keeping a provision of punishment for making false corruption allegations, reports UNB.
The 66th meeting of the present cabinet held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair cleared two amendments to the ACC Act in a bid to updating the same and making the commission more independent and effective.
Briefing newsmen at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad said following the amendments, the commission from now on would be able to seek help from any government department and institution during investigation process of any allegation or case.
"Following the amendments, if ACC thinks that it needs the help of any expert, experienced and skilled government official to investigate any allegation, then it can take the desired help from the particular person," Azad said.
Besides, punishment for making any false allegations will be five years imprisonment according to the approved amendment, Azad told the reporters.
Addressing her cabinet colleagues, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government's strong commitment to make the ACC stronger and more independent, Azad said.
The Prime Minister said the commission will have to be facilitated with an ideal environment for working independently.
Besides, accountability of the commission will be ensured, she said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister was informed at the meeting about the latest situation of the country's power sector.
The Prime Minister was briefed about the government's short, medium and long term plans and projects to add necessary power to the national grid within an reasonable timeframe.
The press secretary said the government has so far been successful to add 700 MW of electricity to the national grid while within next one or two months 400 MW more is expected to be added to the grid.
The cabinet also decided to include Bangladesh to the Youth Employment Network while 'Bangladesh Environment Preservation (Amendment) Act' 2010 was approved at the meeting.
Besides, a proposal to sign the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment was also approved by the Monday's cabinet meeting.
The convention will be adopted at the 16th summit of the SAARC member countries that begins in Thimphu, Bhutan, from today (Tuesday).
The Press Secretary said government has decided to included Bangladesh to the employment network for increasing scopes and facilities of jobs for the country's youths.
Azad said the decision will enable Bangladesh to collect latest information on the global job markets and thus guide the unemployed youths towards the right direction for getting jobs.
The Employment Network was established in 2001 and in 2002 a total of 21 countries became members of the network.
About the Environment Preservation Act, Azad said the government thought that the laws related to the environment needed to fit the times for protecting the country's environment and bio-diversity.
The 66th meeting of the present cabinet held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair cleared two amendments to the ACC Act in a bid to updating the same and making the commission more independent and effective.
Briefing newsmen at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad said following the amendments, the commission from now on would be able to seek help from any government department and institution during investigation process of any allegation or case.
"Following the amendments, if ACC thinks that it needs the help of any expert, experienced and skilled government official to investigate any allegation, then it can take the desired help from the particular person," Azad said.
Besides, punishment for making any false allegations will be five years imprisonment according to the approved amendment, Azad told the reporters.
Addressing her cabinet colleagues, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government's strong commitment to make the ACC stronger and more independent, Azad said.
The Prime Minister said the commission will have to be facilitated with an ideal environment for working independently.
Besides, accountability of the commission will be ensured, she said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister was informed at the meeting about the latest situation of the country's power sector.
The Prime Minister was briefed about the government's short, medium and long term plans and projects to add necessary power to the national grid within an reasonable timeframe.
The press secretary said the government has so far been successful to add 700 MW of electricity to the national grid while within next one or two months 400 MW more is expected to be added to the grid.
The cabinet also decided to include Bangladesh to the Youth Employment Network while 'Bangladesh Environment Preservation (Amendment) Act' 2010 was approved at the meeting.
Besides, a proposal to sign the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment was also approved by the Monday's cabinet meeting.
The convention will be adopted at the 16th summit of the SAARC member countries that begins in Thimphu, Bhutan, from today (Tuesday).
The Press Secretary said government has decided to included Bangladesh to the employment network for increasing scopes and facilities of jobs for the country's youths.
Azad said the decision will enable Bangladesh to collect latest information on the global job markets and thus guide the unemployed youths towards the right direction for getting jobs.
The Employment Network was established in 2001 and in 2002 a total of 21 countries became members of the network.
About the Environment Preservation Act, Azad said the government thought that the laws related to the environment needed to fit the times for protecting the country's environment and bio-diversity.