TIB demands withdrawal of ACC secy’s office order

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for withdrawal of the office order, expressing concern that this has posed a dire threat to undermining the powers of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the Office Order on Delegation of Administrative and Financial Powers issued by the ACC Secretary, the power to appoint and transfer officers of the rank of deputy director and assistant director engaged in investigation and investigation is in the hands of ACC chairman and commissioners has been eliminated and entrusted to the secretary.

Mentioning the office order published on the ACC website on December 18 last year, TIB executive director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman in a statement questioned over the office order. “In which process and what is the logic behind this important decision of handing over executive power to the secretary while executive power of the ACC is entrusted to the chairman and commissioners according to the relevant law?” he asked.

Iftekharuzzaman also asked how much importance has been given to diminish the power of the Commission? It is natural to ask whether the decision was taken consciously by the commission, or is it a sinister attempt to transform this important body, which has been called a ‘toothless tiger’ for a long time, into reality.

“It is important to get a logical answer to these questions, especially why the commission decided to entrust the powers to the secretary and the bureaucracy while the power and some other important jurisdictions were in its own hands? That also needs clarification,” he also added. Calling for immediate withdrawal of this order, Iftekharuzzaman said, “For taking this decision, the interpretation given by the ACC following the example of various departments of the government is an indication of failure to understand that the ACC is not a government institution as per the information published in the media.”

He said that not only the transfer and appointment of deputy director and assistant director level officials, but because of this suicidal decision, all the powers such as permanent and regularisation of ACC investigation officers, current duties, allowances and leave, pension, PRL and award in case of conviction etc. have been entrusted to the bureaucracy.