Move to weaken ACC?
Monday, 3 May 2010
It was prominently written in the election manifesto of the Awami League that they would take tough and relentless steps against corruption.
But thirteen months down the road they are sensed to be doing just the opposite. The Cabinet has proposed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act of 2004. The giving of effect to these amendments will take the ACC back to square one. It will take away all the powers given to it to move without fetters against corruption.
According to the proposed amendments, if any corruption case started against someone by the ACC becomes not maintainable, then the investigating officer or officers will have to suffer five years of imprisonment. Will the ACC officials retain any incentives to do their work with such fears looming over their heads? The ACC would be made accountable to the President. Will this not bring the ACC, albeit indirectly, under the influence of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as the President would be required, under the Constitution, to act as advised by the Prime Minister?
The proposed amendments would require taking permission from the government before the ACC can take any action against any civil servant. This is preposterous.
Anisul Islam
Road no 4
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
But thirteen months down the road they are sensed to be doing just the opposite. The Cabinet has proposed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act of 2004. The giving of effect to these amendments will take the ACC back to square one. It will take away all the powers given to it to move without fetters against corruption.
According to the proposed amendments, if any corruption case started against someone by the ACC becomes not maintainable, then the investigating officer or officers will have to suffer five years of imprisonment. Will the ACC officials retain any incentives to do their work with such fears looming over their heads? The ACC would be made accountable to the President. Will this not bring the ACC, albeit indirectly, under the influence of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as the President would be required, under the Constitution, to act as advised by the Prime Minister?
The proposed amendments would require taking permission from the government before the ACC can take any action against any civil servant. This is preposterous.
Anisul Islam
Road no 4
Dhanmondi, Dhaka