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| Bangladesh |
| New ACC to spare none, frame tough laws |
| 2007-02-24 |
| The newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will seek to have stringent laws and a sea change in the way things are done so that no one could get away with graft. "They will also propose that the government introduce some laws necessary for the commission to be tough on everyone irrespective of position, status or political affiliation," said sources close to the newly appointed ACC chairman. The government on Thursday appointed ex-army chief Lt Gen (retired) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury as the chairman and former district judge M Habibur Rahman and former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Abul Hasan Manjur Mannan as the commissioners. The three will join their new jobs tomorrow. On entering the office, Hasan Mashhud, also a former adviser to the caretaker government, will submit his wealth statement. Before agreeing to take up the position, he had a series of discussions with the government high-ups on issues like obstacles to curbing corruption and how those could be overcome, said a source in the administration. He had a firm assurance from the government that the ACC would be given full rein in its efforts to combat corruption effectively. He was also told that they would be allowed to maintain an even-handed approach to containing the graft menace. The commission would be free to act against anyone no matter how influential they might be, added the source. With Mashhud at the helm, it will first assess how much room the existing system gives it for exercising the powers against corruption. It will turn to the government if the task ahead warrants radical reforms in the relevant laws and procedures. There's already a broad consensus of opinion about making some major amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004. Some other laws that have provisions pertaining to graft would also be reviewed and if needed amended. The former army boss has already had an informal talk with ACC Secretary Delwar Hossain, said sources adding that he has been doing homework and weighing how to go about the new job. Initially, the commission will have a target set for six months and after that it will evaluate the performance and the effectiveness of the mechanisms it adopted during that period. They will proceed if the progress is satisfactory or otherwise they will work to overcome the shortcomings. The reorganised ACC will get on with its work bearing two things in mind--it will strive to revitalise the commission and give people the impression that no one is beyond the reach of the law. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 should've known Chris would be all over this one :-) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-02-24 07:39 |
| #2 it will strive to revitalise the commission and give people the impression that no one is beyond the reach of the law. Ahh, the germ of truth exposed. |
| Posted by: DanNY 2007-02-24 05:57 |
| #1 Sounded like a prelude to the conference hoops tournaments. |
| Posted by: badanov 2007-02-24 03:22 |