Govt makes major changes in state-owned banks' boards

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Nazmul Ahsan
The government on Wednesday appointed new chairmen and twelve directors to the boards of three state-owned commercial banks-Sonali Bank Ltd, Agrani Bank Ltd and Janata Bank Ltd, sources in the finance ministry said.
They have been appointed for a period of three years, according to separate office orders issued by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
The orders were made available with the banks concerned by 6 pm yesterday.
Another 30 to 40 directors will soon be appointed to the boards of the state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions, officials in the finance ministry said.
Meanwhile, the appointments of the incumbent three chairmen and 14 directors have been cancelled through the same orders of the ministry.
Professor Abul Barakat, General Secretary, Bangladesh Economic Association, Professor Khonodker Bazlul Hoq, President, Dhaka University Teachers' Association and Kazi Baharul Islam, former Managing Director, Rupali Bank Ltd have been appointed as Chairmen for Janata, Agrani and Sonali Bank Ltd respectively.
According to the orders, six directors have been appointed to the board of the Sonali Bank Ltd.
They are-Kashem Humayun, Managing Director, The Daily Sangbad, Md Lutfor Rahman Khan, President, Madaripur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KM Jamal Rumel, former leader, BGMEA, Saimun Sarwar Komol, businessman, Advocate Sattendra Chandra Bhakta and Jannat Ara Hanri, Bangladesh Awami League Leader in Sirajgong.
Three directors appointed to the board of the Agrani Bank Ltd.
They are-Shakhor Datta, general secretary, Monisingh-Memorial Trust, Barrister Zakir Ahmed, Chairman, In depth News Agency and Shahazada Mohiuddin.
The Janata Bank Ltd got three new directors. They are-Nagibur Rahman, Nagibul Islam Dipu and Baloram Podder.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the names of new bank chairmen and the directors which were duly vetted by the Bangladesh Bank, sources in the MoF said.
About another 30 to 40 more new bank directors will be appointed to the government-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions by September, sources added.
The names for the aspirants are being scrutinized and list will be finalized soon, sources said.
The new bank directors will act as per the new economic policies of the incumbent government and put in their efforts to make the banks more viable, a top finance ministry official told the FE.