Loan Remarks
Muhith says sorry
Sonali board’s role questioned
Facing a barrage of criticism from both in and outside of parliament, Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday made an apology for his remarks on the Sonali Bank loan scam that the Tk 4,000 crore swindled by Hall-Mark Group was a paltry amount.
“I should not have made the remarks on that day [Sunday]. I am seeking apology. I’m withdrawing the remarks…There is a huge hue and cry about the forgery. I think I am now the most hated person in the country,” he told the House.
The entire nation has reached a consensus that exemplary punishment must be meted out to the perpetrators of the crime so that nobody dares to commit such an offence in future, added the minister.
The lawmakers of the ruling AL-led grand alliance blasted Muhith for the second consecutive day yesterday for his remarks and handling of the scam.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present in the House.
The issue was first raised by two AL MPs Shahiduzzaman Sarker and Enamul Haque while they were speaking on a private member’s resolution to set up development banks in their respective constituencies. They demanded the government take action against persons involved in the Hall-Mark scam.
In response, the finance minister described the prevailing situation and his ministry’s action after the revelation of the forgery.
“The board of directors approved a loan of Tk 65 crore to Hall-Mark. Later a forgery syndicate in league with some bank officials embezzled the huge amount of money through issuing LCs,” said Muhith adding, the board of directors was not supposed to be aware of the forgery.
Senior AL lawmaker Abul Jalil, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of a private bank, said the finance minister claimed that the money was given to Hall-Mark without the knowledge of the board of directors.
“I am involved with a bank. I know that it is not possible without the approval of the board of directors,” mentioned Jalil.
Criticising Muhith’s remarks, he questioned, “How much money needs to be looted to term it a big amount?”
The AL leader said people have reacted sharply to the incident and it would bring negative results for the grand alliance in the next parliamentary polls.
Courtesy of The Daily Star
