Govt wants to reopen Hall-Mark's closed factories : MoF statement

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FE Report The government wants to resume operation of different closed factories of Hall Mark Group which can help create jobs and earn profit, says a finance ministry statement. The ministry's policy is to ensure punishment to the masterminds behind Hall-Mark scandal and the management of the group as well as the bank officials involved in the forgery, the statement issued Saturday, said. "The government has to take necessary actions in favour of opening of Hall Mark Group's factories which can create employment and generate revenue, even if appointment of an administrator is required," the statement said. The statement was issued following the finance minister's views expressed recently about resumption of Hall-Mark Group factories which drew sharp criticism from civil society members. The statement said the finance ministry issued a memo on March 19, 2013 asking the Sonali Bank to prepare a complete report on 'how factories of the Hall Mark Group can be reopened and liabilities to the banks regularised' The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against Hall-Mark Group on charge of its forgery and siphoning of money abroad. Many of the Hall-Mark Group officials are now in custody. Actions have been taken against different bank officials who helped directly or indirectly in the forgery. "The government has no plan to protect anyone involved in the forgery. The allegation raised by different media that the government wants to be flexible for Hall-Mark group is baseless ," the statement signed by the ministry's Senior Information Officer Md Sahedur Rahman said. The Sonali Bank's suggestions on "how the Hall Mark Group's closed factories could be opened are yet to reach the ministry. After receiving the suggestions the ministry will take decision in this regard. The ministry will also seriously consider civil society's opinion in this regard, the statement added.