Tk 28t plundered in AL's 15 years: Bashir

Commerce adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin claims Tk 28 trillion, equivalent to the nation's earnings for 1.5 years, has been looted over the past 15 years under the Awami League administration, leaving all state institutions in tatters.

"The government is grappling with challenges in stabilising commodity prices, blaming inaccurate data on production and demand. Inflated statistics regarding domestic production supplied by the previous administration continue to hinder effective policymaking."

He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at the "ERF-Pran Media Award 2024" ceremony in the auditorium of the Economic Reporters' Forum in Dhaka city.

Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group, Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, and Mohammad Abdullah, managing director of Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust, were present as special guests.

Ten journalists from several media houses, including special correspondents FHM Humayan Kabir and Jasim Uddin Haroon from The Financial Express (FE), received the award in different categories.

Mr Bashir acknowledged the burden on consumers following a recent hike in edible oil prices, assuring that the government was exploring ways to mitigate the impact by adjusting the prices of other commodities.

"The government raised oil prices to align with global and local market realities, as failing to do so could have triggered supply crunch," he explained.

While stressing his government's commitment to ensuring market competition, he said, "We don't aim to set the price of any commodity but strive to maintain availability and stable pricing through healthy competition."

The adviser hinted at plans to directly import edible oil to bolster supplies and facilitate sales through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

Highlighting irregularities in the distribution of TCB family cards and dealership licences, he revealed that 5.7 million out of 10-million family cards had been cancelled amid widespread discrepancies.

The commerce ministry aims to resolve the issue within four to six weeks, according to the adviser.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahsan Chowdhury said his company introduced the award to encourage reporting on economic development.

He highlighted the country's untapped potential in agriculture, emphasising the need to make agricultural products more affordable to boost production.

He also noted that potential US tariffs on Chinese goods under the Trump administration could create opportunities for Bangladesh, as manufacturers might shift production to countries like Bangladesh.

Press secretary Shafiq attributed the price hike of certain commodities to misinformation from the previous administration and the ongoing transformation of the country's economy.

He urged reporters to disseminate accurate information to help the interim government make right decisions, saying: The incumbent government is committed to ensuring easy access to information for all."

The award was presented in three categories-print, online and television.

Five journalists were recognised in the print category, two in the online category and three in the television category.

In the print category, Ziadul Islam of Amader Shomoy and Alamgir Hossain of Shomayer Alo shared the first prize.

The second prize went to Jasim Uddin Haroon and FH Humayun Kabir of the FE, while Shahanuare Shaid Shahin of Kaler Kantha won the third prize.

In the online category, Ibrahim Hossain Ovi of jagonews24.com received the first prize and Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury of Jugantor the second prize.

In the television category, Tauhid Hossain Papon of Jamuna TV claimed the first prize, while Tawhidur Rahman of ETV and Horipodo Saha of Independent TV shared the second prize.

ERF president Refayet Ullah Mirdha and general secretary Abul Kashem also spoke at the event.

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