BB proposes full ministerial rank for Governor
Business Desk:
Bangladesh Bank has proposed a significant elevation in the rank of its Governor, seeking to grant the position the full status and privileges of a Cabinet Minister.
The central bank recently drafted the ‘Bangladesh Bank (Amendment) Ordinance (Amendment) 2025’ following recommendations from financial experts and has forwarded it to the Finance Division for review, reports UNB.
If approved, the move would substantially boost the Governor’s official seniority and influence within the country’s governance structure.
Currently, the Bangladesh Bank Governor holds the 15th position on the national Warrant of Precedence, 1986, placing the post below the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary but above other government secretaries.
The rank is currently shared with officials such as the Attorney General.
Granting ministerial status would signal greater independence and authority for the nation’s top financial regulator.
The proposed status comes with an array of state-provided facilities and financial benefits, governed by existing laws for ministers.
If enacted, the Governor would receive:
A tax-exempt monthly salary of Tk 1,05,000, plus a daily allowance of Tk 2,000 and a monthly regulatory allowance of Tk 10,000, access to a discretionary fund of Tk 10 lakh, a fully-maintained, government-provided residence with all gas, electricity, water, and telephone bills covered by the state.
Should the Governor opt out of a government residence, they receive Tk 80,000 monthly rent allowance, along with coverage for all service sector bills.
Multiple government-funded vehicles including a full-time car and an additional jeep for official travel outside Dhaka with all maintenance costs borne by the government.
New sections proposed would cover whistleblower protection, prevention of monopolistic practices, oversight of credit rating agencies, collateral valuation, and legal vetting.
These measures aim to enhance discipline, transparency, and accountability in the banking sector by preventing irregularities, mismanagement, and conflicts of interest.
These will also enable Bangladesh Bank to establish a modern, integrated supervisory framework, which will play an effective role in curbing unethical practices, information concealment, nepotism, and monopolistic behavior in the banking sector.