MPs pull up WB over Padma bridge issue
Lawmakers at the parliament today came down heavily on the World Bank over the Padma bridge issue, going as far as saying that the global lender itself is “a corrupt body”.
“The World Bank itself is a corrupt institution,” Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said in today’s session during open discussion at the point of order.
READ MORE: Acquittal sparks call for apology
Chipping in, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed demanded actions against “those who talked in favour of Padma Bridge scam”. The ruling party presidium member said: “They are enemies of the nation.”
Sheikh Fazlul Karim, also a presidium member of AL, lambasted Dr Yunus, civil society members, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and media for its role in spreading the propaganda.
READ MORE: Canada court finds no proof of Padma bridge graft conspiracy
He warned of taking actions against those talked about the "so-called scam".
Law Minister Anisul Huq sought the World Bank’s apology to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for “maligning her image” by bringing corruption allegations in the project.
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim called upon Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury to summon Dr Yunus, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and others, who raised false allegations centring the Padma Bridge, before the parliament and quiz them what information they have on the scam.
“Honourable Speaker you have the power. Serve them notice to appear before the parliamentary standing committee. We want to make them accountable on what basis those people brought allegations,” Nasim said.
“We want to make sure so that none can dare to assassin anyone’s character and undermine the country’s future in future through making such false allegations,” he added.
A Canadian court dismissed allegations of graft against officials of SNC-Lavalin Group in Canada – binning any practicality of the “corruption attempt” in the Padma bridge project.
Earlier, a number of government high-ups in Bangladesh were charged and later acquitted by a Bangladesh court and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the “graft attempt” case relating to the bridge project.