Staff Reporter:
Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday said the government is taking strict measures to catch the godfathers of corrupt individuals in the financial sector, including money launderers.
“Already bank accounts of many of them have been seized. This is a primary initiative. Afterwards, there will be investigations and if found guilty, they will be punished,” the adviser told reporters after a meeting at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM) in Dhaka.
He mentioned that these measures will be implemented as soon as possible.
Asked about the high prices of essential commodities, Salehuddin said, “It is not that the prices have not declined at all. The problem will not be solved quickly.
Prices will gradually decline. Some initiatives have already been taken, for example, potato and onion import duty has been reduced.”
The adviser also said, “The government is taking a strict stand against the market manipulators. Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to take measures. Regular market supervision will be done. But it is also necessary to see that the producers of the products get a fair price.”
Addressing the ongoing unrest in the garment sector, Salehuddin assured that the situation would become stable as the law enforcement agencies have intensified their action against the perpetrators.
He noted that the authorities are actively targeting outsiders having ill-intention in the Ashulia, Bypail, and Gazipura areas.
“Discussions are ongoing on with owners, workers and political parties to mitigate the instability in the garment sector. The issue will be resolved soon,” he added.
Regarding the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) decision to cancel the opportunity to whiten black money, Salehuddun said the absence of such opportunities will enable the NBR to effectively nab the embezzlers.
