Some 39 officials of the scam-rattled BASIC Bank Ltd have been meted out various punishments like dismissal, suspension and departmental action for their involvement in massive irregularities, officials said.
The punitive actions have been taken since the rot inside the public bank came into light last year, creating a new stir hot on the heels of Sonali Bank bungling.
Last week the current BASIC management updated the banks and financial institutions division (BFID) of the ministry of finance (MoF) on the actions taken so far against the officials who indulged in the gross wrongdoing.
Earlier in the first week of July, the BFID asked the bank to furnish it with latest information regarding actions taken against the dishonest officials after the much-talked-about loan scam got exposed.
According to the update some 14 officials have been dismissed and 18 suspended while departmental actions were taken against seven in line with an audit report for 2010-2014 period which cited massive irregularities in loan sanction.
A new board of directors took office of the bank in July 2014 and since then, punitive actions had been taken against the baddies in banking-a profession that principally banks on trust.
The update briefs have it that a deputy managing director of the bank has been suspended for his involvement in financial irregularities, unlawful appointment and promotion of officials. A charge sheet has been issued against him in a case which is now under trial.
Besides, charge sheets have been prepared against three deputy managing directors and a general manger for their alleged involvement in inland bill purchase.
It says the then branch managers of Gulshan and Shantinagar branches have been dismissed and approval has been given for legal action against them. Besides, then managers of Dilkusha and principal branches have been suspended and charge sheets issued against them.
The update also mentions that approval has been given for taking legal action against the then credit in-charge of Gulshan branch after his dismissal from job.
The new board has also axed 14 officials and suspended seven others for their involvement in financial frauds, including submission of fake certificates.
Charge sheets have also been issued against eight more officials on various charges after the new management and board replaced their predecessors who are in the dock.
A senior MoF official told the FE Tuesday the government is likely to go tough against those involved in the BASIC loan scam.
In this regard, he added, Finance Minister AMA Muhith asked the ministry officials to get updated information regarding actions taken so far against the "dishonest officials".
The official mentioned that the minister recently told parliament that he could not take action in BASIC Bank loan scam because of his party men.
"But, now he is adamant to take action regardless of the identity of the persons who helped in siphoning off the public money," he said.
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