The Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council, Dhaka has called for an investigation into corruption allegations against officials who resigned from the central bank after the change of government.
They also demanded that anyone found guilty in the investigation should be brought to book. Council leaders placed these demands at a press conference organised in the Bangladesh Bank's Motijheel office conference room on Thursday.
Acting president of the council and central bank Joint Director Tanveer Ahmed said, “The Bangladesh Bank needs to be reformed. Those who engaged in corruption and tarnished the image of this organisation should be investigated and brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, the council leaders raised an 11-point demand to ensure the autonomy of Bangladesh Bank and eliminate discrimination.
They spoke in favour of amending the Bangladesh Bank Order 1972 to ensure autonomy of the central bank, which in turn would ensure freedom of the administration, operations, and expenditure.
Key decisions of the central bank – such as interest rate, exchange rate, licensing of banks or financial institutions – should be kept free from political interference and influence, council leaders said.
A demand has been made to abolish the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance to prevent conflict of interest and dual governance in the banking sector. Along with this, structural reform should be carried out in the board of directors of Bangladesh Bank.
“The state owned banks are under the Financial Institutions Division, so the central bank cannot independently take action against them,” said AKM council General Secretary and also the central bank Additional Director Masum Billah.
Relevant laws, rules and other reforms should be made to bring back good governance in banks and financial institutions.
The council also demanded that the Bangladesh Bank governor post be turned into a constitutional post with full ministerial status, and a renowned economist or central bank official be appointed as the governor.
The posts of deputy governor and chief of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) should be converted to regular posts of Bangladesh Bank, and should be considered the same level as senior secretary positions.
Council leaders believe that such moves will reduce the unhealthy competition that has been observed in the past few days.
The benefits of Bangladesh Bank officers and employees, which were cut or reduced during the previous governor's term, should be reinstated, demanded the council leaders.
