Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on Saturday took a swipe at the media for running what he said were fictitious reports on the ministry’s stance and his remarks on the controversial Hallmark Group.
He issued a statement on the day explaining the government’s stance on Hallmark which was facing money laundering cases over embezzlement of around Tk 3,600 crore.
Muhith drew criticisms for his remarks in last couple of days that the government was weighing the idea of whether some of the factories of the group could be reopened as part of a plan to recover the stolen money.
Top executives of the controversial group, now in custody, might be granted bail as a part of the plan, he added.
A section of the media described Muhith’s remarks on Hallmark as an indication of an ‘understanding’ between the government and the controversial group to legalise the country’s biggest financial scam in the banking sector.
Muhth in his statement on Saturday rejected such observation saying there was no truth in it.
He said some 40,000 workers of the group had appealed to prime minister Sheikh Hasina and him to protect the group’s assets worth around Tk 5,600 crore.
Following the appeal Muhith directed Sonali Bank to assess the feasibility of reopening some of the manufacturing units of Hallmark, his statement said.
Sonali Bank, the largest state-owned commercial bank, bore the major brunt of the Hallmark scam as most of the fund was embezzled from the SB’s Ruposhi Bangla hotel branch.
It has been reported that an influential quarter of the ruling Awami League is sympathetic towards the group. The role played by the Bangladesh Bank and the Banking Division of the ministry in this regard also drew criticism.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has already filed 11 cases against 27 officials of Hallmark and Sonali Bank. The commission is now investigating the cases.
Explaining the stance on his ministry on the matter, Muhith said that the masterminds of Hallmark scam as well as top executives and corrupt Sonali officials should be brought to book.
He pointed out that proper measures, including appointment of administrators, should be considered for the group’s ventures which were creating employment opportunities. (Source)
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