DCs can report corruption directly to ACC, says chairman

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been asked to report any information regarding corruption directly to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the anti-graft body's Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah has said.

"If there is any difficulty in providing direct information, instructions have been given out to DCs to inform the Cabinet Division in by-weekly confidential reports," he told reporters after addressing a session of the ongoing Deputy Commissioner's Conference in Dhaka on Monday (4 March).

During the session, the DCs were asked to play an effective role in implementing anti-graft programmes in their respective areas, further strengthening the role of anti-graft committees at upazila and district levels, and waging a social movement against corruption.

The ACC accepts all complaints equally. It doesn't matter who the complaint is against

Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission

In addition, to prevent any possible corruption in the ongoing development projects at the field level, the role of ACC's integrated regional offices has also been discussed.

The role of "Satata Store" and "Satata Sangha," established by the ACC at schools and madrasas aimed at helping students to practice honesty, was also highlighted during the discussion.

Also, there were discussions regarding disposing of any graft allegations against any public organisations through a public hearing.

Talking to reporters after the session, the ACC chairman said as the deputy commissioners are representatives of the government at the district level, they are supposed to have information about where irregularities and corruption are taking place.

"Yet, they have been asked to collect information on irregularities and corruption and take necessary action. Those who do not have the scope to take action can report directly to the ACC. Sometimes there are some complications in reporting. In this case, every 15 days, the DCs will send a confidential report to the Cabinet Division. After that, the Cabinet Division will take the necessary action," he added.

The ACC chairman further said, "DCs have been specifically asked to check if their office is free from corruption. The district and upazila offices should be cleared of corruption first. Then consider others."

Responding to a question, he said, "The ACC accepts all complaints equally. It doesn't matter who the complaint is against. 

"Basically, we check whether a complaint is a scheduled offence, or if there is adequate information. If so, then the complaint is taken into consideration."

Earlier on 3 March, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the four-day annual conference of deputy commissioners aimed at infusing dynamism in the field-level administration.

The working sessions of the conference have been taking place at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium