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Graft took worst turn during 4-party rule

Says Tac chairman

Staff Correspondent
Justice Habibur Rahman Khan, chairman of Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac), yesterday said corruption has been deeply rooted in the society over the years with its worst phase occurring during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat-led four-party rule.
Referring to confessions by government officials, he said it appears that civil servants are involved in corruption more than any other professionals in the society.
Meanwhile, Tae's Eve-month tenure might be extended by a couple of weeks, if need be, to complete its task as 48 more cases are being sent to it from the AntiCorruption Commission (ACC).
Justice Habibur, however, said they would try to complete their task within the stipulated time.
"We’ve realised how corruption has planted its root over the years since independence. And we have learned it was the worst during the tenure of the last alliance government," he said at a regular press briefing.
He said on completion of their job they would submit a report to the government identifying facts and factors of corruption in
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different government institutions with some recommendations. "Government officials have been more inclined tocomiption." heobserved.
As an example of gross graft, The on October 22 revealed that BTCL, former BTTB. showed deployment of 256 labourers on papers only to transfer files from an almirah. On the other hand, ACC on October 20 published a similar graft Incident by BTCL officials in Khulna where they had 'deployed' 122 labourers to install a pan in a toilet.
Ilie Tac chairman mentioned that the statements government officials are giving will be incorporated in their final report, but the commission won't recommend for any action against
“The departments concerned can take measures regarding statements of the government officials under them if they think it that way. We don't have the authority to prove anyone guilty. But we ll mention everything in our final report." the chairman added.
He went on to say that now it depends on the people who they want to rule country in future and they should determine it in the upcoming election so that the next elected government may not encourage corruption.
"We'll not ask the government to extend the commission's tenure and try to complete our job within the deadline," he said.
"We'U work even on holidays if required. And there is a provision in the ordinance to extend time for 10 to 15 days to dispose of the cases pending with the commission.” said one of the Tic members and former comptroller and auditor general Asif Ali.
He said two of the 11 government officials including eight top-level Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL) officials confessed to their corruption. The eight BTTB officials include a former chair-
The government officials facingTac are from BTTB, BRTA, Roads & Highways, sub-registrar, Titas Gas, Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Petrobangla, National Housing Authority, BIWTA, two former deputy secretaries, Chittagong and Syihet city corporations, and public
As many as 337 people including 265 government officials, 31 of their wives and 24 low-profile businessmen have so far applied to the commission forvoluntary disclosures.
The Tac completed hearing 231 of them who admitted to having ill-gotten wealth worth only about Tk 26.01 crore.
Of the total amount, about Tk 13.95 crore was deposited to the state exchequer as of yesterday, while the rest could not be deposited as ACC or NBR is still to release the frozen bank accounts of the graft-accused.
Of the applicants, 141 applied through ACC, 167 through NCC, 10 through the courts and 19volun tartly.
The Tac has so far distributed clemency certificates to 82 people.