The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission advised the government to stop running local resources (LR) funds at upazila, district and divisional levels in the interest of the image of the public administration, as there have been allegations raised about shady transactions.

ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing session that recently there have been complaints about running LR funds at the offices relating to police, taxes, land and revenue at upazila, district and divisional levels. "The Commission has sent a letter advising the government to stop running such funds in the interest of keeping the image of the public administration intact," he said.

Hanif said that in recent times, during prevention of corruption-related view- exchange meetings with the Commission, people pointed out different adverse aspects about the LR funds.

The running of such funds raised different types of questions, as there is no convention of auditing income and the spending of money belonging to these funds, he said.

Hanif, the ACC spokesperson, said the Commission has also put forward a set of recommendations to the government for ensuring transparency about role played and the opinions given by the members of the committees at government offices on issues like purchase, appointment of consultants and land allocation.

He said that during investigations into graft allegations under the ongoing purge, the ACC has noticed that along with notices calling meetings, the members are generally not supplied with relevant technical, administrative and strategic information.

"There is also no clear direction about the agenda," he added.

Hanif said that the Commission has also noticed that in the proceedings of the meetings there is no reflection of objection or no-objection of the members, and there is no other signature apart from the heads of the committees.

Therefore, it is not possible to identify the persons for and against the decisions, he said. "As a result, many innocent officials get accused, which is not desirable."

Hanif said despite having difference of opinions, members could not express their views, as there is no mention of those having different opinions. "This practice indirectly helps particular quarters in committing corruption and members playing main roles get the opportunity to be relieved of their responsibilities."

He said the ACC recommended all the members be supplied specific agenda, relevant information and records at least three days prior to the meetings.

The recommendations include compulsory opinions by every member, recording of the opinions and compulsory signature by each member.

If any non-technical person is included in a technical committee, he or she should be given adequate idea before participating in the meeting.