Chairman Jammu and Kashmir State Accountability Commission (SAC), Justice (Retd) Bashir Ahmad Khan today called for restoration of the powers of the Commission as were originally enshrined in Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Commission Act-2002.“The powers and the ambit of the State Accountability Commission have been diluted to a large extent following the enactment of the State Accountability Commission (Amendment) Act-2011,” Justice Khan said at an interaction with the media-persons here this morning.He was flanked by Justice (Retd) J P Singh, Member of the State Accountability Commission. He said the Commission will be submitting to the state government a slew of recommendations for restoration of SAC powers as enshrined in the original Act of 2002. “Given its ambit and powers, J&K’s Accountability Commission Act of 2002 was more forward-looking and progressive even than the Lokpal Act enacted by the Parliament in 2013,” Justice Khan said and added that unfortunately the Act lost its essence following the enactment of the State Accountability Commission (Amendment) Act-2011.Justice Khan said the Commission can fulfill its objective only when it is armed with the requisite powers and infrastructure to act as an effective instrument of ensuring accountability in government.He sought the support and cooperation of the government, the media and the civil society in making the Commission a vibrant institution.