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Download PDF Aiming at curbing corruption, irregularities and criminal activities across the country, the government has formed eight central and 64 district-based task forces comprising members of the army, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and different intelligence agencies.
The cabinet division yesterday issued a notification regarding the task forces, sources said.
The government has also initiated a move to form 20 more anti-graft teams to enquire into the graft allegations against big corruption suspects on the second list of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that may be revealed by month-end.
Law Adviser Mainul Hosein told The Daily Star yesterday that the task forces are now gathering information on corruption, irregularities and other issues all over the country.
Alongside the ACC, the task forces will work on the allegations of graft, irregularities and criminal activities informed by the people.
The country has been divided into eight zones and the eight central task forces have been constituted to supervise the work of the 64 district-based task forces.
Each task force will comprise Seven-eight members from the army, Rab, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and National Security Intelligence (NSI).
If necessary, ACC officials will also be included in the task forces while options for including experts on certain subjects have also been kept open.
Sources said the task forces, which are under the cabinet division, have been formed not only to assist the ACC but also to help the government by enquiring into different allegations made by people.
They have been formed since it is not possible for the ACC to curb corruption in all sectors single-handedly. Besides, it is not possible for all to approach the ACC with graft allegations and the ACC is also not entitled to take legal steps on all the allegations of corruption and crime since the ACC Act allows it to work as per the schedule of offence.
In case of any graft allegation, the task force will enquire it and, after completion of the enquiry, will help the ACC take necessary steps. Similarly, for allegations of irregularities and criminal activities, they will investigate and then ask the organisations concerned to take necessary measures.
However, asked about the task forces, ACC Secretary Delwar Hossain said yesterday that he does not know anything about it.
Meanwhile, sources said the government has almost completed the process to form the 20 new teams to probe graft allegations against the persons to be listed by the ACC.
The authorities are looking for skilful, honest and competent officials from the ACC to include them in those teams, which will also comprise members of the army, police, Rab, DGFI and other intelligence agencies.
The government earlier made 20 similar teams to investigate alleged corruption of 50 influential persons already listed by the ACC last month.
Meanwhile, the ACC prepared more enquiry reports on the big corruption suspects on its top-50 list.
Before filing the first information reports (FIR) against them, the ACC top officials are now examining if any information has been dropped or if there is any legal loopholes, sources said.
The ACC has so far filed three cases against three former state ministers on the list. According to ACC officials, more cases will be filed against others by the next week.
The government may issue a notification next week amending the Emergency Power Rules to empower the ACC to start the process for confiscating properties of 15 of the 50 corruption suspects who failed to submit their wealth statements within the ACC deadline last month.
As per the Emergency Power rules, the government requires permission from magistrates for confiscating properties of the persons failing to submit their wealth statements, and after getting the permission it will attach or freeze their properties.
To amend the ACC Act, a new ordinance may also be promulgated by the next week, ACC sources said.
BB ASKED FOR 62 PERSONS’ FINANCIAL TRANSACTION
Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday asked banks and financial institutions to submit transaction statements of 62 persons including leaders of BNP and Awami League in Bogra within today.
In response to a request from the ACC, the central bank also directed the banks and financial institutions to submit the details of the individuals’ credit and locker usage since 2001, sources said.
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