Dhaka, Sept 17 (bdnews24.com)- Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Commissioner Prof Moniruzzaman Miah Sunday divulging the Commission's complete lack of transparency suggested formation of an all- party parliamentary committee to probe into ACC activities.
He was speaking at a roundtable on "The Anti-Corruption Commission: How can it be made effective" organised jointly by Reporters Against Corruption (RAC) and Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) at the Jatiya Press Club.
Prof Miah admitted that the Commission has failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people. There prevails a big difference of opinion among the commissioners regarding Rules of the Commission, he said adding that it was not right to blame the government for the delay in formulating the Rules for the ACC, which was set up 23 months back, as the draft of the Rules was still lying with the Commission.
Former law minister Advocate Abdul Matin Khasru said there was an ill motive behind the making of the Anti-Corruption Commission law. The government took about one year to make the law effective and that indicated to that ill motive.
He alleged that the government constituted the ACC as an eyewash for the development partners.
Former caretaker government advisor M Hafizuddin Khan, who moderated the roundtable said no effectiveness of the ACC was being seen or felt by the people though it has passed almost half of its four- year tenure.
Executive Director of the TIB Dr Iftekharuzzaman in his key-note paper said lack of independence, control over its financial resources and authority in key operational and management decision were major hindrances to the effectiveness of the ACC.
He criticised the government for excluding money laundering and keeping matters related to foreign exchange and foreign companies out of the jurisdiction of the ACC. He said the ACC needed visionary leadership and there should be a citizen's watchdog body to monitor the activities of the Commission.
Prof Abu Ahmed of Dhaka University Economics Department said there should not be any appointment in the ACC on deputation
Prof Asif Nazrul of DU Law Department said a continuous campaign was necessary for making the ACC effective.
bdnews24.com/1545 hrs
