‘Massive irregularities found in banking, energy sectors’
NN Online:
Renowned Economist and Policy Analyst Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya has revealed that significant irregularities have been uncovered in banking and energy sectors of Bangladesh over the past 15 years.
Dr Bhattacharya made this remark during a dialogue on “Current Economic Situation and Launching of Open Budget Survey 2023 Results,” jointly organised by the Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), International Budget Partnership (IBP) and Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) held at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) on Thursday.
He said, “The committee on the ‘White Paper on the State of Bangladesh Economy’ is set to submit its final report on the financial sector to the chief adviser on Sunday, with plans to publicly disclose it on Monday.
“Huge looting had taken place, particularly in the banking and energy sectors, and these issues will be highlighted in the forthcoming report.”
Debapriya pointed out that, “The committee formed by the government to prepare the white paper was given three months’ time. Our work has already been completed. We have received millions of data. Editing is underway. Hopefully, we will hand it over to the chief advisor next Sunday.
“Many initiatives have been taken to bring about changes in the economy through the change of government. If we cannot return the wealth that has been created through corruption to the people, what kind of revolution is that?”
Debapriya explained that the white paper committee had prepared the report after three months of discussions, reviews, data collection, and verification, involving secretaries, businessmen, citizens and relevant individuals and institutions.
On August 28, the 12-member committee was formed under the leadership of Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, to highlight the overall economic situation of the country.
The committee has been reviewing both the sector-wise and macroeconomic conditions.
Professor of Dhaka University Dr M Abu Eusuf, RAPID Chairman Dr MA Razzaque, Head of Online at Prothom Alo Shawakat Hossain Masum, Finance Ministry Joint Secretary Anarul Kabir, ERF President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha and ERF Secretary Abul Kashem among others, joined the event.