Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen has called on ACC officials to first examine their own integrity before tackling corruption elsewhere.
“Those working in the ACC must first ask themselves—are we free from corruption?” he said, stressing that internal accountability is the foundation of the Commission’s credibility and success in the wider anti-graft fight.
He said while addressing a public hearing organised by the ACC in cooperation with the Joypurhat district administration at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Monday.
He also said although corruption cannot be entirely eradicated from the country, it can effectively be reduced through concerted efforts.
Call for public input on reforming the anti-corruption commission
He expressed hope of seeing Joypurhat as the country's first corruption-free district.
With Joypurhat Deputy Commissioner Afroza Akhtar Chowdhury in the chair, Akhter Hossain, Director General (Prevention and Public Awareness) of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Fazlul Haque, Rajshahi Divisional Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and Muhammad Abdul Wahab, Superintendent of Police of Joypurhat, addressed as special guests.
During the session, allegations of corruption were presented against several local institutions, including Joypurhat 250-bed General Hospital, BRTA, Joypurhat Sugar Mill, Municipality, LGED, police stations, prison, land offices, union parishads, and social service departments.
A total of 67 complaints had been submitted at various booths across Joypurhat town against the authorities of 33 government, private and autonomous institutions including Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Joypurhat General Hospital, District Council, Joypurhat Sugar Mill, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Joypurhat Police Station, Municipality, Land Office, Rural Electricity Association, Social Services Department, Islamic Foundation.
The ACC Chairman took all complaints into cognizance and instructed the concerned authorities to take appropriate action.