<i>Barakat sets noble mark Signals he means simple business in Janata </i>

Newly appointed Janata Bank Chairman economist Abul Barakat has set a new example of austerity and simplicity at the top level of management, insiders say.
Upon joining the bank on September 14 prior to the Eid holidays, Barakat sent a note to the state-owned bank's management stating that he doesn't require a vehicle. Besides, he doesn't want to use the bank's elevator exclusively and a large "throne-like" chair for him at the bank's board meetings, he informed.
He also said he does not want to be received by garlands like his predecessors.
And he meant what he had said. On September 16, he went to the bank headquarters in Motijheel using his own car, though he is entitled to have an exclusive Pajero sports utility vehicle (SUV).
As he went up to the 12th floor to attend his office, he chose to queue up with others to board the lift. It is a common practice in the bank's head office to keep a lift standby for hours for the chairman.
There was also no fanfare to receive him.
He attended his first board meeting the same day. He did not use the "throne-like" chair. Instead, he sat on the same chairs used by other board members.
"Our first impression is that we have a good chairman," says a high official of the bank. "He is different from others."
Barakat also proposed that the chairman's official SUV should be used by the bank for other purpose and should not be taken away by the finance ministry.
It is a common practice by the ministries to take away 'unused' vehicles purchased by subordinate organisations.
The nine-month-old Awami League government has recently appointed new chairmen and directors to all state-owned banks and financial institutions.