CPD must say where Tk92,261cr from banks went: Quader
Expressing his lack of knowledge about the CPD report, Quader said, "Whether it's Debapriya (Debapriya Bhattacharya) or Mustafiz (Professor Mustafizur Rahman) who authored the report, we demand information on the whereabouts of the money. We are committed to bringing those funds back."
The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) itself needs to address the allegations it has raised regarding irregularities in the country's banking sector, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today (25 December).
"Where has the money gone? We want to know that. The money will be brought back to the country if the organisation provides detailed information," Quader said in response to a CPD statement that claims Bangladesh's banking sector lost Tk92,261 crore due to major scams since 2008.
Expressing his lack of knowledge about the CPD report, Quader said, "Whether it's Debapriya (Debapriya Bhattacharya) or Mustafiz (Professor Mustafizur Rahman) who authored the report, we demand information on the whereabouts of the money. We are committed to bringing those funds back."
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Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, made this remarks at a press briefing at party president's Dhanmondi office on Monday (25 December).
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud alleged that the CPD had not conducted genuine research in preparing the report.
"They simply compiled a report based on some newspaper clippings and held a press conference. Their statements are nothing but blatant lies," said Hasan while speaking to reporters at BTV Chattogram center on Monday.
He continued, "Although the CPD press conference talked about research, in reality, it takes a considerable amount of time and information that is unlikely to be gathered by the organisation."
Furthermore, Hasan claimed, "The CPD has engaged in a lot of concealment in preparing and publishing this report, presenting a significant amount of incorrect information."
Providing an example, he said, "CPD claimed that 75% of our development budget is dependent on foreign countries. However, in reality, only 35% of our current budget is aid or foreign-country dependent. At one point, it even dropped below 20%. This has risen to 35% in recent times due to some projects."
Regarding the loan scam at BASIC bank, he said, "Out of Tk4,000 crore, Tk2,000 crore has already been recovered, and cases have been filed for the remaining Tk2,000 crore."
He continued, "The CPD also mentioned that Nabil Group took a loan of Tk2,700 crore. However, the CPD report did not mention that the loans were recovered. They were deliberately hidden. CPD talked about a Chattogram-based group. I checked with Bangladesh Bank, and none of the loans in that group are classified. In other words, CPD has provided false information."
"At the same time, the CPD said the size of classified loans has increased. But they only talked about size, not the percentage in comparison to GDP. Because the percentage of classified loans has actually decreased. In 2009, our GDP was $80 billion. Now the GDP is about $500 billion or 0.5 trillion dollars. If the GDP increases 6 times, it is normal that the size of classified or bad loans will also increase. But what is crucial is the percentage. In 2009, the classified loan was 10.5 percent, and now it is 9.93 percent," said the minister.
No possibility of conflict over election: Quader
Remarking on election environment, Quader said there is no possibility of any major conflict over the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election scheduled for 7 January.
"We are not afraid of any major conflict over the election. We have zero tolerance in this regard. Law and order forces will take appropriate action against those who try to hamper the election environment." he added.
"The Election Commission is an independent institution. It is their responsibility to ensure that the Electoral Code of Conduct is properly enforced," Quader said.
"We have been managing the country. We do not claim that everything is 100% perfect. There will be criticism, it allows for refinement," he added.
The AL general secretary termed Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar as "a special agent of BNP" over his remarks about the election.
"He [Badiul Alam Majumdar] says what BNP's Rizvi says," Quader added.
In response to another question, the minister said, "The American ambassador is in India. Sanctions and visa policies against those who would disrupt the elections are the most common declarations of the US. America has five representatives in Bangladesh. Five representatives of the two main US parties -Democrats and Republicans, are now in Bangladesh. We are drawing their attention."
Awami League general secretary said that BNP's leaflet distribution programme calling for boycotting the upcoming national polls is obstructing the peaceful environment.
"Why would BNP distribute leaflets calling to boycott the election? It is disturbing the atmosphere for a peaceful election," the AL leader further said.
