The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

A proposal for giving the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) the entity of a self-ruled organisation is awaiting presidential approval after vetting from the Law Ministry.

Director General (admin) of the commission Col. Hanif Iqbal said this during the regular press briefing at his office here on Thursday.

He said after the approval of the President, an Ordinance would be promulgated in this regard. The Council of Advisers approved the draft of a law on October 31 last proposing for making the ACC a "self-governed body" alongside its existing independent and neutral entity. The DG said the ACC has brought broad-based amendments to its existing rules to make it more vibrant and expedite the process of enquiry and investigation of the graft cases.

The ACC has brought 29 amendments to its existing rules, he said adding that the President has already approved the amendments that may be published in a Gazette notification within a week, he said.

The new amendments will have provisions for conducting the enquiry and investigation of a case by the same officer instead of separate officers aimed at saving the time of processing the case.

However, the amendments also incorporated the provision for appointment of separate officers at the enquiry and investigation levels if the ACC deems it necessary.

According to the other amendments, the divisional and district level scrutiny committees would be constituted with the senior officials of the ACC instead of local distinguished persons. The commission may constitute more than one committee at the divisional/district level to verify the allegations of corruption.

As per another amendment, the ACC would inform the concerned ministries, divisions or departments in writing about its action taken against any official or employee on charge of corruption, the DG said.

All the amendments are under the process for publication in the Gazette after the assent of the President, he said.