"The latest government initiative to impose upon the ACC an organogram of its choice, and to demand that all senior positions in the commission including its secretary, directors general, directors, deputy directors and prosecutors be held by bureaucrats on deputation, will put the last nail in the coffin of any expectation that the ACC could ever function effectively and independently," said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB.

The finance minister's statement at a meeting last week with the Economic Reporters' Forum that the ACC is a part of the executive wing of the government and therefore it should work within the framework of the government is not only regrettable but also absolutely unacceptable, the press release added.

It said if this reflects the view of the government, either there is a lack of understanding in the government about what an independent anti-corruption commission should look like, or the government has no genuine interest in arresting the continued spread of corruption in the country. It also sends a completely negative signal about the government's real intentions regarding the ACC.

"We urge the government that came to power with an anti-corruption pledge, and will soon go for another election probably with the same slogans, to show genuine commitment to allow the commission to function independently. The government intervention into appointments and postings in the ACC, which according to the anti-corruption law are the jurisdiction of the commission itself, must be stopped," said TIB.

TIB is equally disappointed and disturbed by the fact that the ACC has also failed to make any worthy efforts to give at least a vision and a sense of direction for itself. The ACC has not only failed to show a seriousness of purpose, but has indeed created a credibility crisis of its own. The commission has failed to articulate a plan of work to address the problem of corruption. Differences of opinion among the commissioners on key issues such as division of powers and responsibilities, and their confrontational interpersonal relationship haven't served the cause of the commission, the press release added.

It said the commission is no less responsible for the present crisis over its organogram and manpower as it was the commission itself that took the controversial decision to sweepingly absorb the staff of the former Bureau of Anti-Corruption paving the way for further government control.

"While it is incumbent upon the government to let the commission function independently, we also call upon the ACC to present to the nation a strategic plan under various alternative scenarios on how they would address the challenges they have taken upon themselves to face,” TIB added.