It’s for the sake of economy: Info minister on money whitening
Hasan Mahmud criticised BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for condemning continuing black money whitening in the next budget
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud Friday criticised BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for condemning continuing black money whitening in the next budget.
"For the sake of economy, this step has been taken", said Hasan Mahmud, who is also the joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League.
At a coronavirus safety product distribution in Dhaka, he claimed, "During the BNP regime, a bunch of BNP leaders including the party's parliament members, whitened their black money. Even the scope was availed by their [BNP's] top leader Khaleda Zia."
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The government has been drawing flak for granting a blanket immunity in the current year's budget for whitening black money in a bid to bring them into the mainstream economy. Amid the criticism, news broke out that the facility may continue in the upcoming budget too.
At a press conference Friday, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir added his voice to the increasing chorus against the scope.
"So, Fakhrul Islam should first explain this before criticising the government steps," Hasan Mahmud criticised his political opponent.
He also said Awami League activists have been beside the people since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, and providing them with various health safety items even in rural remote areas.
We have been able to prevent the widespread infection in the country, he added, claiming other political parties were not seen extending a hand to the people during the crisis.
"Even though BNP leaders were seen distributing some relief materials in the first phase of the pandemic for photo sessions, those vanished afterwards. Now they do not even exist in photo sessions either."
Hasan Mahmud commented that the BNP's political activities are now limited to criticising the government.
On movement curbs, the minister said, "Lockdown can never be a solution, but the government has to impose a lockdown as people do not want to comply with the health rules on their own."
He urged everyone to follow the virus safety measures to control the coronavirus infection further.
Among others, Awami League central committee leader Sujit Roy Nandi also spoke at the programme.
