ACC strategic action plan assessed

The implementation report of the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) strategic action plan for 2019 has been assessed at a virtual meeting.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud and at the beginning of the meeting, a minute's silence was observed in memory of those who have died of the novel coronavirus in the country – including two ACC officials. 

Director General (ICT and Training) of the commission AKM Sohel moderated the meeting.

"Even though the commission's regular operations have been held-off due to Covid-19, legal action against the identified corrupt people in the relief and health sectors will be made more active," said ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud.

These criminals will be brought to justice for the welfare of the public, he added.

Addressing the ACC officials, the chairman said that more than 16 ACC officials have been affected by Covid-19 and two promising officers have died. 

"In the meantime, the officials have been conducting all kinds of official activities including investigation, prosecution and prevention of corruption allegations," said the Chairman.

"If necessary, conduct search and investigation activities from home. In this case, the movement register of the document must be followed and the secretary of the commission must be informed," he urged the officials.

Expressing his satisfaction with the progress of the activities of the money laundering division of the commission, the ACC chairman said that the 11 perpetrators have been convicted from 11 money laundering cases of the commission in 2019. 

He further said that in order to stop money laundering in the country, it is necessary to file a case against the money-launderers as soon as possible and recover their criminal assets. 

In this case, there should be close coordination between BFIU, CID, the National Board of Revenue, and other agencies, he added.

"Focal point officials could play the most important role in implementing the National Integrity Strategy. However, unfortunately, the truth is that these officials have not informed the commission about corruption in their respective ministries or departments," said ACC commissioner Md Mozammel Haque Khan. 

He emphasized the importance of appointing honest, transparent and determined officers as focal point officers. 

ACC Commissioner AFM Aminul Islam said the ACC's intelligence surveillance towards such service providers, including hospitals, needs to be stepped up.  

"If necessary, the campaign will be started in the same way as the campaign was conducted before the health rules were followed," he added.

ACC Secretary Md Dilwar Bakht, Director General ANM Al Firoz, among others, spoke at the meeting.