Special Correspondent :
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has once again raised the demand for ‘risk allowance’ for its staff taking into account their risk and adversity during drives against corrupts across the country.
In a recent letter to the Cabinet Division, the ACC said that the risk allowance, equivalent to 50 per cent of basic salary, would boost the morale and efficiency of its staff and enhance effectiveness of the government’s ongoing anti-graft efforts.
The Cabinet Division later forwarded the letter to the Finance Division, which earlier rejected the ACC’s proposal twice in this regard, citing the government’s resource constraint.
“Our officials and employees work round the clock to resolve complex cases involving influential people. When our officials conduct trap case operations, most of the time they face untoward situations and risks. The sensitivity of the work and the risks they face during anti-graft drives should come under justifications for risk allowance,” read the letter signed by ACC Secretary
Dr Md Shamul Arefin.
The letter cited that the risk allowance would inspire the ACC officials and help combat corruption effectively.
Currently, only members of the law enforcement agencies (Police, RAB, BGB, Cost Guard, Ansar and Foresters) get ‘risk allowance’ considering their jobs as of hazard nature.
“The law enforcement agencies and other government departments are getting risk allowance for recognition of their work. But the officials and employees of the ACC are not still getting the benefits although they work with risks, which has grown frustration in them,” said the letter, adding, “If the special allowance is granted, it would definitely work as an inspiration for them.”
In this context, the Cabinet Division is requested to take necessary steps in this regard in light with the ACC’s (staff) Service Rules, 2008. When asked, the acting Finance Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder told The New Nation yesterday that the Finance Division is working on the issue and you will see it’s development in a day or two.
“The Finance Division may approve the risk allowance in favour of ACC staff this time. It is considering the risk allowance to be granted on the basis of the staff’s job tenure and grade,” said another Finance Ministry official on condition of anonymity.
The (ACC) letter mentioned that the government would require Tk 15 crore per year if it approves risk allowance in favour of the ACC officials and employees.
Faced with shortage of staff, the ACC earlier sought for additional manpower at all levels of the agency from the government and introduce ration for its staff.
The agency is now entrusted with probing complex corruption cases, including BASIC Bank and Hall-Mark Group’s loan sandals, Borapukuria coalmine scam, AB Bank’s money laundering case, Farmers Bank scam and many other financial irregularities involving thousands of crores of taka.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has once again raised the demand for ‘risk allowance’ for its staff taking into account their risk and adversity during drives against corrupts across the country.
In a recent letter to the Cabinet Division, the ACC said that the risk allowance, equivalent to 50 per cent of basic salary, would boost the morale and efficiency of its staff and enhance effectiveness of the government’s ongoing anti-graft efforts.
The Cabinet Division later forwarded the letter to the Finance Division, which earlier rejected the ACC’s proposal twice in this regard, citing the government’s resource constraint.
“Our officials and employees work round the clock to resolve complex cases involving influential people. When our officials conduct trap case operations, most of the time they face untoward situations and risks. The sensitivity of the work and the risks they face during anti-graft drives should come under justifications for risk allowance,” read the letter signed by ACC Secretary
Dr Md Shamul Arefin.
The letter cited that the risk allowance would inspire the ACC officials and help combat corruption effectively.
Currently, only members of the law enforcement agencies (Police, RAB, BGB, Cost Guard, Ansar and Foresters) get ‘risk allowance’ considering their jobs as of hazard nature.
“The law enforcement agencies and other government departments are getting risk allowance for recognition of their work. But the officials and employees of the ACC are not still getting the benefits although they work with risks, which has grown frustration in them,” said the letter, adding, “If the special allowance is granted, it would definitely work as an inspiration for them.”
In this context, the Cabinet Division is requested to take necessary steps in this regard in light with the ACC’s (staff) Service Rules, 2008. When asked, the acting Finance Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder told The New Nation yesterday that the Finance Division is working on the issue and you will see it’s development in a day or two.
“The Finance Division may approve the risk allowance in favour of ACC staff this time. It is considering the risk allowance to be granted on the basis of the staff’s job tenure and grade,” said another Finance Ministry official on condition of anonymity.
The (ACC) letter mentioned that the government would require Tk 15 crore per year if it approves risk allowance in favour of the ACC officials and employees.
Faced with shortage of staff, the ACC earlier sought for additional manpower at all levels of the agency from the government and introduce ration for its staff.
The agency is now entrusted with probing complex corruption cases, including BASIC Bank and Hall-Mark Group’s loan sandals, Borapukuria coalmine scam, AB Bank’s money laundering case, Farmers Bank scam and many other financial irregularities involving thousands of crores of taka.
