Muhith hits back at Barakat
Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday hit back at Prof Abul Barakat over the latter's recent remark on the finance ministry's move to suspend the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of four state-run banks.
Barakat, at a programme on his last day at office as the chairman of Janata Bank (JB) on Monday, alleged that the CSR activities were halted as he had not entertained a request of the minister to finance a boat race in Sunamganj.
“His [Barakat's] term has expired and it will not be renewed anymore. He may have grievances for this,” said Muhith yesterday, clearly indicating that Barakat had made the remark out of this grievance.
Asked if he really had made the request Barakat claimed, the finance minister said he could not recall any such incident.
The finance ministry had no record in their files either which could prove any letter was sent to the immediate past JB chairman in this regard, Muhith told journalists at his office.
Prof Barakat was appointed the JB chairman for three years in September 2009. The tenure was later extended by another two years that expired on Monday.
Barakat was kept in the post for around five years and it was enough, Muhith said, adding that there are a number of intellectual giants among Awami League supporters in the country.
“So, we have to look after their interests as well. There is no reason to expect that a chairman will retain the post for an indefinite period.”
On August 28, the finance ministry's banking division issued a notice forbidding Janata, Agrani, Rupali and Bangladesh Development Bank from spending anymore under the CSR until further instructions.
The decision was taken after it had been found the banks were spending huge amounts of money as the expiry of the bank chairmen's tenures were nearing, Muhith said.
When the AL-led government assumed power in 2009, Janata was in a good shape. But its condition has deteriorated now and the amount of default loans has increased, he added.
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