Weather | Dhaka Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told the Jatiya Sangsad that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) would be reconstituted, and accountability and transparency of its activities ensured.
“Steps will be taken for smooth functioning of the ACC without political interference,” Hasina assured the House during question-answer session.
The government will do everything required to free the society of corruption, she said.
Replying to lawmakers' queries, the PM also unveiled her government's plans to build digital Bangladesh by 2021 by implementing a large number of measures on information technology (IT), which would also generate employment and help fight corruption.
IT education at secondary education level will be made compulsory by 2013 and at primary level by 2021, Hasina said.
As the lawmakers criticised activities of the ACC during the immediate past caretaker government's tenure, the PM said, “Transparency and accountability of the Anti-Corruption Commission's activities would be ensured by reconstituting it. Steps will also be taken so that officials of the commission cannot be involved in corruption.”
Hasina, also chief of the Awami League that leads the ruling grand alliance with over 260 seats in the House, said initially people had welcomed the ACC's activities.
Echoing lawmakers' sentiment, she said, “But its (ACC) objectives were questioned when it started working to suppress politics and politicians instead of curbing corruption. People not involved in corruption were harassed by it and forced to give deposition against others,' the PM said amid thumping of desks by treasury bench members.
“There are many stories that people were detained and later released after taking money from them,” she said.
On anti-corruption drives at the initial stage of the caretaker government's tenure, she however said it was necessary to shake the society up as corruption spread in all fields.
The prime minister urged lawmakers to lead a life consistent with their earning.
Asked if the names of top 20 corrupt people each year will be made public, she said each corrupt person's name needs to be disclosed.
Talking about the root of corruption, Hasina said, “Those who came to power wearing uniform and using arms patronised corruption. If anybody compares corruption index before and after 1975, he will understand when corruption started spreading…Corruption spread in the society due to irregularities in assuming state power and violation of the constitution.”
Replying to queries on making public offices free of malpractices, the prime minister said, “With the assistance of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the government has already taken various measures to stop corruption and bribery in government offices and courts.
“Scrutiny of wealth statements of government officials submitted to their respective authorities under the public servants conduct rules 1979 is now under consideration.”
She announced that process is on to detect corruption and corrupt officials in utility departments, government and semi-government offices. Action will be taken against those found involved in corruption and bribery.
The government is giving priority to curbing graft, combating terrorism and bringing down prices of essentials, she told a questioner.
In response to another query, the PM informed the House steps taken to get back the money siphoned off during the rule of BNP-led alliance. Investigation is on to collect information on how much money has been laundered, she said, declining to give details now.
She also spoke about government initiative to recover the black money siphoned off by Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
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Thursday, February 5, 2009 10:04 AM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
The Honorable Prime Minster has taken the ACC issue towards right direction , though there may have been some unsolicited ACC involvements or have developed controversies ( may or may to fact) , but we the general public still feel that the government should have a strong mechanism to control and curb corruptions and unlawful incomes that some one may have made by using personal influence and authorities.
It is obviously fact; corruption comes with authority and personal dealing alluring to have personal benefit and even in some cases instigate to circumvent standard practice and procedures.
Corruption is a years old problem and it had pervaded and rooted deeply during mid eighties but instead of bringing such issue again in the picture, we all need to think deeply how prudently and emphatically, we all could tackle this social evil and curse and thus could save the country from such disgraceful blame . Moreover this hinders to flourish county’s image properly
Hence, I personally welcome Honorable Prime Minister's resolute decision of making the ACC more functional with all possible support enabling them to work independently without interference from any corner. We respect the word of the Prime Mister, to live within means.
However, we also expect the ACC will also work with very cautiously and honestly avoiding unnecessary harassment to the people, so public faith, trust and respect on ACC would further strengthen.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:34 AM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
As a citizen of Bangladesh I do not have complain against the past CG's anti corruption drive. It gave us a chance to see the vicious problem of corruption in this country. Our PM is talking for the sake of the politicians. This does not reflect the opinion of most of the people of this country. The general public do not need the node of ACC to identify who is involved in corruption and who is not. Stringent punishment needs to executed those who are involved in corruption.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 01:56 AM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
Sounds like a bid to brace the ACC!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:20 PM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
This step of PM may erode public's confidence in the government. Why should every government have every institution reconstituted at its will. Can't well-functioning institutions remain as they were in any previous regimes.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:04 PM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
ACC has been doing an excellent job. We have not seen such an excellent job from ACC any time before. Why or what are prime minister trying to fix in ACC? The best thing she can do if she leaves ACC alone. It is ovbious that, she is being a vengeful for the actions against her and her party people on anti corruption cases.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 03:11 AM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
Some of the PM's remarks smell of serious error.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 09:57 AM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
Good information source!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009 01:33 PM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
Govt. should find the actual corrupted people with reason and take some action plan amongst how corruption occurs?
Govt. may invest some modern techniques and knowledgeable concept from experts.
PM must directly take care of the implementation.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 01:34 PM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
PM's statement about the ACC is by far the best that she has made in the Parliament so far. This has reassured the nation that she will not compromise on the issue of corruption irrespective of who is involved. The nation is waiting to see how independently the ACC is allowed to function.
smhusain
Thursday, February 5, 2009 01:55 PM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
Its no doubt that the noble gesture by our newly elected prime minister who herself was earlier wrongly booked by the ACC to come forward to wipe out the corruption from our society. As far as I see none can wipe out the corruption 100% from the society. Reason is simple. Deception is a human trait and as a species with the highest brain faculty it will always be unscrupulous to gain something extra.
However, steps proposed by our beloved Premier are in the right direction that will not able to uproot the corruption totally but would definitely bring it down. By doing so, she will do a great justice to the society and raise our prestige in the international arena.
We congratulate her noble move and future mission to eradicate corruption from our country.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 02:24 PM GMT+06:00 (53 weeks ago)
Honourable Prime Minister,
You are not the leader of ruling part Awami League, but also the leader of Bangladesh and everything that comes under it. Your views and actions must serve the nation for its best interest and beyond petty interests of Awami League. If you can do this, Allah the almighty will help you in everything you do.
A Khan