The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will probe the wealth of newly elected female lawmakers for the reserved seats if it receives any specific allegation against them.
“We are yet to receive any complaint about the wealth of female lawmakers. The commission is looking into media reports and after analyzing them, we might bring them under scanner,” said ACC secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury while briefing reporters at Media Centre on Monday.
He said the commission would surely take legal action against the female lawmakers if it receives any specific allegation against any of them.According to a report of the Civic Group Citizens’ For Good Governance the net assets of nine female MPs for reserve seats in the last parliament have increased by nearly six times on an average during the last five years. The nine are among the 48 MPs, who were has been elected unopposed for women reserved seats in the present Parliament.
The ACC secretary said if necessary the commission may form special cell to deal with the allegations of corruption against bigwigs.
“The special inquiry and investigation department is now dealing with the complaints regarding the lawmakers’ wealth. If we feel necessity for establishing a separate cell or committee, we will do that though we are yet to feel that necessity,” he said.
He said the commission is collecting documents from media reports and from our internal sources. “We will bring the guilty lawmakers under scanner,” the secretary said.
Chowdhury, however, denied giving any information as how many people would be brought under scanner.
He further said the commission has already asked the lawmakers to submit their wealth statements and one of them has already done so.
“We will take action against those will fails to submit their wealth statements following due procedure,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said the investigation into the allegation of corruption against the owner of the collapsed Rana Plaza at Savar is almost at final stage and report in this regard to be submitted soon.
The ACC secretary said the commission would observe weeklong programme in observance of corruption prevention week beginning on March 26.
He said the week would be observed through different programmes including awareness programmes, seminars, rally, campaigns and the like. – Staff Reporter
