Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser, has stated that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will work completely independently to investigate allegations of corruption committed during the tenure of the interim government.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will work with complete independence in investigating allegations of corruption during the tenure of interim government, said Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser.
The Adviser was addressing a regular press briefing at the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat on Tuesday (June 30).
He said corruption is a criminal offense that has no statute of limitations. Therefore, if allegations are received, the ACC can investigate corruption charges from the tenure of either the current or any past government through its own process, and the government will not interfere in any way.
Referring to a recently published report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) which stated that Tk 12,633 crore changed hands in bribes across various service sectors in a single year, he said corruption is deeply rooted at the grassroots level, and the government is actively working to eliminate it.
He also expressed hope that the volume of corruption will decrease significantly in the coming year.
Mentioning that allegations had also been raised against the advisors of the interim government in the past, Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said the ACC had tried to take some steps even back then. Therefore, whether it is an allegation from the tenure of the Awami League government or the current government, it is the ACC's responsibility to investigate independently in all cases.
The Information Adviser, reiterating the government's position on the political activities of the Awami League, said the political programs of the Awami League will remain banned until a final court decision is reached.
He said regardless of whether the party attempts to emerge under names like 'Refined Awami League', 'Trinamool Awami League', or any other name, they will not be allowed to carry on political programs in any name.
Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman also asserted that the government's stance on this matter is strict. Furthermore, he said the government has enacted into law the ordinance issued to ban the activities of the Awami League. The government intends to maintain this ban until the final verdict from the court.
During the briefing, the Information Advisor warned the media against broadcasting Sheikh Hasina's statements.
"Despite a court injunction, some media outlets are broadcasting the statements of convict Sheikh Hasina, which is contrary to the court's directives," he said.
Urging the media to play a responsible role while respecting the law, he said if this trend continues, necessary legal action will be taken.
Regarding the China-Bangladesh corridor, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the importance of connectivity has increased in the current world. The government is positive about any kind of regional or international connectivity, provided Bangladesh's national interests are secured. However, a decision on the potential corridor will be made considering Myanmar's political situation, security, economic potential, and other realities.
Regarding the Teesta Master Plan, he informed that the project is being reorganised afresh. Along with river training, issues such as water conservation, expansion of irrigation facilities, riverbank erosion prevention, and the construction of a new barrage have also been incorporated into it. Though China is cooperating in the technical study, no final decision has yet been made regarding the financing.
END/ASA
