AMA Muhith who was sworn in on Sunday as the finance minister again on Monday said he had discharged his duties with pleasure in the last five years although the country’s intelligentsia often criticised him for his various remarks. ‘In the last five years, I discharged my duties with pleasure,’ he said when the officials and employees of the Economic Relations Division greeted him and the newly-inducted state minister for Ministry of Finance MA Mannan with bouquets at the ERD.
Muhith said the intellectual community was often very much critical with his commonly used words ‘bogus’ and ‘rubbish’. ‘But, I would have to say, you should term something as rubbish which is rubbish or term something as bogus which is bogus.’
About becoming finance minister for the 3rd time amid various speculations, Muhith said before being the finance minister he had apprised the prime minister about his age but she wanted him to carry on.
Muhith, however, said he might decide to quit when he would feel not really good.
He thanked the officials and employees of the ERD for performing well in the last five years although there were often picks and falls for which there were criticisms.
Muhith also indicated to sit with his ministry officials on Thursday to chalk out the action plan for the new term with a focus on agenda-based discussions.
The finance minister also said he would see on how to share works with the new state minister.
He also paid tributes to the memory of former chief justice and caretaker government adviser Habibur Rahman and former cabinet secretary Mujibul Huq who died on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
State minister for Finance Ministry MA Mannan hoped that he would get all kinds of support from all concerned to see greater economic progress of the country in the years to come.
The new 49-member cabinet of prime minister Sheikh Hasina took oath on Sunday.
-With New Age input
