Editorial
It will be a fatal mistake
ACC must not be made subservient to the executive branch
The amendments suggested by the cabinet committee on the proposed law for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will lead to a hamstrung, dwarfed and dependent body which will not be able to serve the purpose that the nation needs it for-to fight corruption in an effective and all encompassing manner. The Committee, which was a collections of bureaucrats, did what such groups do best, proposed that special permission be sought before ACC could proceed against fellow bureaucrats. If the cabinet approves the proposals, which it is likely to consider on the 15th, it will be making a mistake of historic proportions. Let us explain why.
First, Bangladesh needs a truly independent ACC to end the endemic corruption that now appears to be destroying all our positive achievements. Without it Bangladesh cannot provide the growth spurt that its needs to reach 8 plus per cent GDP growth.
Second, bureaucratic corruption lies at the root of much of the prevalent corruption. Keeping them out of the reach of the ACC, and making it mandatory to seek permission from the executive branch before being able to proceed against them is a sure sign of protecting the very source from which a significant amount of corruption emanates.
Normally the ACC would be obliged to report to the President who would submit the report to the parliament for review and discussion. Thus parliament would act as the oversight body of the ACC. The suggested amendment that ACC should be made accountable to the President will effectively put the ACC under the control of the executive, since according to our law the President is always to act on the advice of the PM (except to appoint the CJ and the PM).
The ACC submitted a detailed explanation of its needs with a request that their suggestions be also sent to the cabinet along with the recommendations of the cabinet committee. This is not being done. We feel that the PM and the cabinet must have access to the full statement of the ACC. This is most important.
It seems to us that the present government has not understood the real significance of an independent ACC. It is seeing it as an adversary that needs to be tamed rather than an ally that will help the government fight corruption and help to deliver its promises. A powerful ACC is a true ally of a government that wants to serve the people.
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