Steps on to punish Hallmark scamsters
Friday, 7 September 2012
Finance Minister A M A Muhith Thursday informed the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that steps are on to give exemplary punishment to the Hallmark scamsters following investigation, reports BSS.
Speaking on a private members resolution of treasury bench member Noor Afroz Ali, the minister said some officials of the Sonali Bank Limited were involved with the Hallmark loan scam.
"Now, efforts are being made to identify the culprits... and as per the rules cases would be filed against them after investigation."
The minister said the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) was given the responsibility of investigating the matter initially considering it a specialised one.
Giving details, the minister informed the House that embezzlement of a huge amount of money by Hallmark was found in an audit report on October 2010, and after that the Sonali Bank submitted two reports on it to the Bangladesh Bank in 2011. But, the reports were false.
After that, he said the Sonali Bank conducted a functional audit and subsequently published the audit on July 13, in which the forgery was detected. Similarly, the Bangladesh Bank also conducted investigation and prepared its report in this regard.
The investigation found that Hallmark was provided a loan of only Taka 650 million (65 crore) following approval of the Sonali Bank's board of directors and rest of the amount was given through false LC (letter of credit).
Regarding actions taken so far regarding the scam, Muhith said two high ranking officials of the bank were so far sacked, while 19 others suspended and two made OSD (officer on special duty).
Later, treasury bench members Tofail Ahmed, Abdul Jalil and Abdul Matin Khasru, Rashed Khan Menon from Workers Party and Mohammad Mujibul Haque of Jatiya Party took part in the discussion.
They expressed dissatisfaction over not arresting the Hallmark scamsters and keeping the board of directors of the concerned bank intact. They also demanded taking pragmatic steps for realising the money soon.
Responding to their demands, the minister said the existing directors of the board were not removed following reconstitution of the board for the sake of proper investigation. He said the tenure of the present board of directors would be expired on September 9.
Speaking on a private members resolution of treasury bench member Noor Afroz Ali, the minister said some officials of the Sonali Bank Limited were involved with the Hallmark loan scam.
"Now, efforts are being made to identify the culprits... and as per the rules cases would be filed against them after investigation."
The minister said the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) was given the responsibility of investigating the matter initially considering it a specialised one.
Giving details, the minister informed the House that embezzlement of a huge amount of money by Hallmark was found in an audit report on October 2010, and after that the Sonali Bank submitted two reports on it to the Bangladesh Bank in 2011. But, the reports were false.
After that, he said the Sonali Bank conducted a functional audit and subsequently published the audit on July 13, in which the forgery was detected. Similarly, the Bangladesh Bank also conducted investigation and prepared its report in this regard.
The investigation found that Hallmark was provided a loan of only Taka 650 million (65 crore) following approval of the Sonali Bank's board of directors and rest of the amount was given through false LC (letter of credit).
Regarding actions taken so far regarding the scam, Muhith said two high ranking officials of the bank were so far sacked, while 19 others suspended and two made OSD (officer on special duty).
Later, treasury bench members Tofail Ahmed, Abdul Jalil and Abdul Matin Khasru, Rashed Khan Menon from Workers Party and Mohammad Mujibul Haque of Jatiya Party took part in the discussion.
They expressed dissatisfaction over not arresting the Hallmark scamsters and keeping the board of directors of the concerned bank intact. They also demanded taking pragmatic steps for realising the money soon.
Responding to their demands, the minister said the existing directors of the board were not removed following reconstitution of the board for the sake of proper investigation. He said the tenure of the present board of directors would be expired on September 9.