Despite the fact that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was an excellent initiative; over the years it has proved somewhat frustrating. The failures of this anti-graft body have turned it into a ‘toothless tiger’.
When the ACC was set up in 2004, it raised many expectations. However, it did not take long for the people to be disillusioned. Everyone knows that the commissioners are appointed on partisan political considerations. Its operational autonomy is also limited, as it faces pressure from different stakeholders, including the government and the political parties.
A news report published in a national daily on Friday said that since the government officers, mostly from the administration cadre, hold the key positions at the ACC on deputation, the commission’s autonomous status gets undermined. Besides, an absolute control of the government is also established through such a posting trend, observes good governance campaigner.
According to ACC insiders, corruption allegations against admin cadre officers are dumped at the stage of scrutiny in most cases and if any of them is accused in any case, he is relieved during the investigation. The action against the corrupt cadre officials mostly involve sending recommendations to the authority concerned for departmental action.
The report, in this context, said a case was filed accusing 20 people on the charge of corruption in the construction of five additional floors of the FR Tower. But the commission in a charge sheet in November
2020, dropped the names of three bureaucrats from the list of the accused, said ACC insiders.
The ACC requires prior permission in filing cases against government officials, under ‘The Government Employment Act 2018’. But the practice is no investigation can begin against government officials and ministers without prior clearance from the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the governance campaigners and jurists suggested that the commission should focus on making its own employees skilled enough to carry out its activities, instead of largely depending on admin cadre officials.
It is to be noted that the reconstruction of the commission by the military-backed caretaker government of 2007-8 provided it some degree of dynamism and vibrancy. Then a number of high-profile individuals suspected of involvement in corruption were arrested. Special tribunal was also to be set up for speedy trial.
Anti-corruption agencies such as the Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption become global models for combating corruption.
In Bangladesh and Pakistan there is no justification of check against corruption. Corruption is as usual on even now when the economy itself is at a breaking point.
When the ACC was set up in 2004, it raised many expectations. However, it did not take long for the people to be disillusioned. Everyone knows that the commissioners are appointed on partisan political considerations. Its operational autonomy is also limited, as it faces pressure from different stakeholders, including the government and the political parties.
A news report published in a national daily on Friday said that since the government officers, mostly from the administration cadre, hold the key positions at the ACC on deputation, the commission’s autonomous status gets undermined. Besides, an absolute control of the government is also established through such a posting trend, observes good governance campaigner.
According to ACC insiders, corruption allegations against admin cadre officers are dumped at the stage of scrutiny in most cases and if any of them is accused in any case, he is relieved during the investigation. The action against the corrupt cadre officials mostly involve sending recommendations to the authority concerned for departmental action.
The report, in this context, said a case was filed accusing 20 people on the charge of corruption in the construction of five additional floors of the FR Tower. But the commission in a charge sheet in November
2020, dropped the names of three bureaucrats from the list of the accused, said ACC insiders.
The ACC requires prior permission in filing cases against government officials, under ‘The Government Employment Act 2018’. But the practice is no investigation can begin against government officials and ministers without prior clearance from the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the governance campaigners and jurists suggested that the commission should focus on making its own employees skilled enough to carry out its activities, instead of largely depending on admin cadre officials.
It is to be noted that the reconstruction of the commission by the military-backed caretaker government of 2007-8 provided it some degree of dynamism and vibrancy. Then a number of high-profile individuals suspected of involvement in corruption were arrested. Special tribunal was also to be set up for speedy trial.
Anti-corruption agencies such as the Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption become global models for combating corruption.
In Bangladesh and Pakistan there is no justification of check against corruption. Corruption is as usual on even now when the economy itself is at a breaking point.
