When asked about former finance minister M Saifur Rahman's legalising of undisclosed money, the adviser however refused to make any comment on the minister's 'personal affairs'.

Talking to The Daily Star about recent issues, he said if any member of Hasina's family shows specific need for withdrawing money from the frozen accounts, the government will consider it.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Thursday asked all commercial banks to freeze the bank accounts of Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina and her five family members her husband Dr M Wazed Miah, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and Sheikh Rehana's husband Dr Shafiq Siddique,

Hasina's lawyer raised questions about the government move claiming that it will hamper the medical treatment of Dr M Wazed Miah. The lawyer also expressed anxiety about running the operations of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, and the Welfare Trust for the Grenade Attack Victims, since the accounts of those non-profit organisations were also frozen.

Opportunities still remain to withdraw money from the frozen accounts in cases of emergencies, the finance adviser said adding that the government gave such chances earlier too.

If the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust authorities show valid documents proving that due to the government move the employees and scholarship recipients are being deprived of salaries and financial aid, the government will relax the regime, he said.

Similar relaxations will be allowed in the case of medical treatment of the former prime minister's husband, he said.

When his comment was sought on the matter of legalising undisclosed money by former finance minister M Saifur Rahman, the adviser replied that the government gave a chance to persons who had earned money legally but mistakenly or otherwise did not mention it on his or her returns, to legalise those.

"It is totally one's personal matter, if he or she takes the opportunity. I have no comment on the issue," he said adding, "I have no comment on whether it should be done or not either."

NBR Chairman Badiur Rahman said Sheikh Hasina and her relatives whose accounts were frozen may withdraw up to Tk 50,000 a month and may also apply to the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the NBR for withdrawing a greater sum for medical purposes.

The three organisations that also have their accounts frozen, may also withdraw money to run their operations, but the organisations will have to apply to CIC with necessary documents, Badiur told reporters at the inauguration of a training course for auditors in the capital yesterday.

The accounts of ex-BNP state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, his wife Tahmina Zaman, daughters Faria Binte Zaman and Tasfia Binte Zaman, and sons Labib Ibne Zaman and Ahnaf Ibne Zaman, were also frozen.

The NBR also asked banks to freeze the accounts of former vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Prof MA Hadi, former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo, and former CBA leader Mollah Abul Kalam Azad.

Some other persons whose accounts were frozen are Mirza Obaidur Rahman, Md Golam Rahman, Dr Farida Binte Lutfar, Dr Latifa Binte Lutfar, Dr Afzalunnessa, Khaled Rahman Payel, Shamsur Rahman, Nipa, Mithila, and Mitra all relatives of Babar.

Moreover, the accounts of Divisional Forest Officer of Sylhet Laskar Maksudur Rahman, his wife Mahfuza Sultana, his son Musfiqur Rahman, and daughter Sabura Rahman were also frozen.

NBR SEEKS ACCOUNT INFO
The NBR in a separate letter also asked commercial banks to provide it with the account information of some political and business leaders including former foreign affairs minister M Morshed Khan and his family members -- Nasrin Khan, his wife, Faria Haque, his daughter, Faisal Morshed Khan, his son, Shema Sejan Khan, wife of Faisal Morshed Khan, Fayaz Morshed Khan, Faraz Morshed Khan and Johnson Morshed Khan, sons of Faisal.

The tax office simultaneously asked for the account information of Sheikh Hasina, her five family members, and the three AL affiliated non-profit organisations -- whose accounts are currently frozen.

It also sought the account information of 16 other people.