Previous govt appointed bureaucrats as cenbank governors with ill intent: Fahmida Khatun

Despite regulations prohibiting current or former government officials from serving as central bank governor or deputy governor, bureaucratic appointments to the position had been made by the previous government to exert undue influence, said Fahmida Khatun, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

"Although there are numerous issues plaguing the banking sector, the previous government granted digital banking licences to inexperienced individuals due to political considerations and nepotism," she said while speaking at a shadow parliament organised by Debate for Democracy at FDC premises in the capital today.

Mentioning that the Bangladesh Bank provided emergency funds to distressed banks to safeguard depositor interests, she said these funds cannot be used for loans or business activities.

Fahmida also noted that while strained bilateral relations with India may pose challenges to trade, alternative sourcing options can be pursued to ensure continuity. 

Regarding the agreement with India's Adani Group, she said, "The controversial and lopsided power import deal with Adani, negotiated without public input, highlights the need for a more transparent and equitable approach."

Speaking at the event, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron criticised the previous government, alleging that it had established a system of theft and plunder, far surpassing the mere financial irregularities highlighted in the white paper. 

He noted that the laundered funds could have financed numerous infrastructure projects, including 75-80 structures like the Padma bridge, while defaulted loans could have funded 14 metro rails and additional bridges.

"We used to need cattle from India, but now we have our own. If we cannot get things like onions, potatoes, or yarn from India, we will find those somewhere else or produce ourselves," Kiron said.