Anti Corruption Commission Bangladesh

Anti Corruption Commission Bangladesh (Bengali: দুর্নীতি দমন কমিশন) often abbreviated: ACC (Bengali: দুদুক) was formed through an act promulgated on 23 February 2004 that into force on 9 May 2004. Although initially, it could not make the desired impact, but immediately following its reconstitution in February 2007, the ACC began working with renewed vigor and impetus duly acceding to the United Nations' convention against corruption that was adopted by the General Assembly way back on 31 October 2003.

1 Vision
2 Mission
3 Chairman & commissioners
4 Functions of the commission
5 Power to make rules
6 Schedule
7 Regulations
8 Criticism
9 References
10 External links

Vision

The Commission has formulated some indicators of the vision so that every member of the society can easily recognize if this vision has been attained in the next five years:

No bribery in business.
No bribery to escape from the reach of the law or to any government official.
No bribery to enjoy basic amenities such as health and education etc.
No bribery to jump the queue.
No bribery, period!
Merit matters, not greasing of palm.

Mission

Guided by the mission ACC sets for itself the following tasks and functions:

It controls corruption by identifying hot spots and areas of vulnerabilities for targeted investigative and prosecution action, prevention and curative treatment beside preventive education and advocacy.

It ultimately suppresses corruption through the effective and cumulative effects of its combating, controlling and prevention efforts enumerated above.

Chairman & commissioners

The commission is mandated as independent, self-governed and neutral entity. It consists of three Commissioners; of them one as the chairman and all appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Selection Committee for a period of four years from the date of their appointment. While the commissioners function on full time basis loses eligibility for reappointment on expiry of the term in their office.

Functions of the commission

To enquire into and conduct investigation of offences mentioned in the schedule
To file cases on the basis of enquiry or investigation and conduct cases
To hold enquiry into allegations of corruption on its own motion or on the application of aggrieved person or any person on his behalf
To perform any function assigned to Commission by any Act in respect of corruption
To review any recognized provisions of any law for prevention of corruption and submit recommendation to the President for their effective implementation
To undertake research, prepare plan for prevention of corruption and submit to the President, recommendation for action based on the result of such research
To raise awareness and create feeling of honesty and integrity among people with a view to preventing corruption
To organize seminar, symposium, workshop etc. on the subjects falling within the functions and duties of the Commission
To identify various causes of corruption in the context of socio-economic conditions of Bangladesh and make recommendation to the President for taking necessary steps
To determine the procedure of enquiry, investigation, filing of cases and also the procedure of according sanction of the Commission for filing case against corruption and
To perform any other duty as may be considered necessary for prevention of corruption.

Power to make rules

The Commission for carrying out the purpose of Anti Corruption Act, 2004 has been vested with the power to make rules by notification published in the official Gazette with the prior approval of the President.

Schedule

Offences under Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004 (Possession of property disproportionate to known source of income)
Offences punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (Act 11 of 1947)

Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2002 (Act 7 of 2002)

Offences punishable under sections 161-169, 217, 218, 408, 409 and 477A of the Penal Code, 160 (Act XLV of 1960)
Offences of abetment, conspiracy and attempts as defined respectively in section 109, 120B and 511 of the Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860) in relation to clauses (a) to (c).

Regulations

Its framework and function is governed by Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

Criticism

From the very beginning it never made any expectation for the nation. People of Bangladesh also considered it as a government tool to take control over the matters of ruling party's interest. But its true ACC made a sensation and hope for the nation after February 2007. It has taken many positive steps, corruptions of government servants/relevant authorities were reduced. Moreover most of the allegations it made against influential persons, people of Bangladesh think it to be true or partly true. But as times go on it has been clear that it is not free from influence. Some of its action were usual, some were in good faith and some action were to control politics and politician. This double standard policy has made a scope for the corrupted people to claim them innocent.