Clipping ACC wings
Photo: STAR
In the name of reform to make Anti-Corruption Commission more effective and pro-people, the government is planning to curb this anti-graft body's authority so that it cannot unilaterally file corruption cases against public officials, policymakers, lawmakers and other representatives. It is learnt from the news media that the cabinet committee, formed last March to review the ACC Act, has already drafted some proposals to this end and forwarded those to the commission for opinion. But surprisingly, the chief of the committee expressed his ignorance about the details of the proposals as he attended only one out of the five meetings held so far. This tells us how a government committee works. If all the above mentioned classes i.e. bureaucrats, MPs and policymakers get immunity from any corruption charges then who will be there, except the general mass, to be caught around! There is no doubt, as pointed out by ACC sources, bureaucrats are the brain behind the amendment proposals. But a government elected by the people should not be a toy in the hands of bureaucrats. Law and policy makers should not forget that they will have to go to the doors of the people every five years to get a new mandate. To clip the ACC wings to make it toothless and clawless will boomerang for the politicians and the government. Besides, the nation wholeheartedly cherishes an independent and powerful anti-graft watchdog body and instead of making it inactive, the government rather should go for arming it with all necessary ammunition so that it can deliver the services expected of it. Regarding accountability, the ACC will be answerable to the people only. But integrity of the people who man the body is of paramount importance. Meanwhile, the Regulatory Reforms Committee Chairman has also resigned complaining that the body has become dysfunctional as the government wants its closure. Things are moving towards the wrong direction!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments