JS seeks info about ex-BASIC Bank chief

Rezaul Karim | Published: July 15, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

The parliament has sought information from the Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) about the personal details and political affiliation, if there was any, of Sheikh Abdul Hai Bachhu before his joining as the Chairman of the BASIC Bank, officials said.
Mr Bachhu resigned following the unearthing of BASIC Bank loan scam. The parliament secretariat has also directed the BFID of the Ministry of Finance to provide it with detailed information within 15 days from the date of receiving the letter, they added.
The parliament secretariat on July 9 sent a letter to BFID Secretary M Aslam Alam, seeking information.
The Awami League government coming to power in 2009 appointed Mr Bachhu as the chairman of BASIC Bank.
Under his influence, the bank indulged in all sorts of irregularities which were detected through a central bank probe in 2012.
The investigation also detected irregularities involving around Tk 45 billion worth of loan in its three branches at Gulshan, Dilkusha and Shantinagar between 2009 and 2013.
The government re-appointed Mr Bachhu as chairman of BASIC Bank despite some big scams and allegations against him.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith recently told reporters, "BASIC Bank Chairman Sheikh Abdul Hai Bachhu will not be able to get off the hook if he is found involved with irregularities."
In early July last, the then chairman resigned from the bank. The resignation letter was handed over to Finance Minister AMA Muhith.
Mr Muhith on June 30 told Parliament that action would be taken against the culprits involved with the BASIC Bank scam once the probe report by its board of directors is available.
"We've already formed a new board of directors for BASIC Bank. They'll place a report on the scam. Appropriate action will be taken once the report comes to hand," he said taking part in discussion about cut-motions before the passage of the national budget for the fiscal year 2015-16.
The minister said they had already taken some measures so that the culprits behind the BASIC Bank scam cannot flee the country.
He also resented his failure to take actions against the culprits involved in embezzlement of billions of taka from state-owned banks and blamed the ruling party men for their support to the whole affair.
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