The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission is collecting data and information for taking steps against the service-providing organisations that have earned bad reputation for corruption. "We're collecting data and information in this regard…Then various measures will be taken gradually against those organisations," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal said during the Commission's regular briefing on Monday.

Replying to a question in this regard, he also said the Commission during its public relation activities will take ideas from people and data and information collection is going on the basis of that. Asked to name the organisations, Hanif said, "The task of collecting data and information is going on. I don't want to name any organisation in advance."

Responding to a questioner, he said the Commission is doing this with its own initiative and there is no relation with the activities of taskforces.

To a questioner, the director general said the investigations into the cases filed against former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina for their alleged corruption in awarding deals to Niko have already begun. "Investigation officers have already been appointed and as I know they have begun the investigations," he said. Hanif said the Commission has approved the filing of cases against former minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, former Khulna City Mayor Kazi Aminul Haque and former Chittagong deputy commissioner Mohammad Hasan for concealing information and acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income. Asked why the Commission is only emphasising corruption taken place during BNP and Awami League governments leaving alone the corruption of HM Ershad's rule, he said its not right that nothing is being done. "ACC is not a temporary organisation. Given the opportunity, measures will be taken in the future."

In reply to a question, he said the Commission is putting in all-out

efforts to discharge the responsibilities vested on it. The director general gave details about the complaints inquired and investigated by the Commission against employees of government, semi-government, autonomous organisations and people's representatives.

The complaints include acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income, getting benefited or benefiting others through misuse of power, bribing, misappropriation of state property or assisting others in doing so, doing businesses or participating in auctions in others' names, distorting accounts or making efforts to destroy important files to cover up faults and money laundering. Meanwhile, an order was issued today transferring 43 class three and class four employees of the Commission.