On Sunday, Faridpur-3 independent MP AK Azad urged that the Parliament reveal the list of loan defaulters. He said that these loan defaulters embezzled and smuggled bank funds overseas.
During the general debate of the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024–2025, he made this statement.
According to Bangladesh Bank, there are approximately Tk 1.82 trillion worth of delinquent loans, according to AK Azad. In actuality, there are Tk 5 trillion worth of delinquent loans.
“It is well known who stole this money. For the purpose of accountability and openness, I have asked the finance minister to disclose their identities before Parliament. They are the ones who stole money from the bank and used it as currency overseas”
According to an independent member of parliament, it would be unjust if those who launder money were able to return the money after paying a 15% tax.
Black money whitening is opposed by AK Azad, claiming that the Awami League has zero tolerance for corruption in its electoral agenda.
He declared, “It is incomprehensible how the sovereign parliament can legitimize the laundering of illicit funds.”
Azad questioned why it was not possible to question the source of black money.
AK Azad stated that Bangladesh is about to advance from an impoverished nation to a middle-income one, with effect from 2026, thanks to the Prime Minister’s strong leadership.
The operating expenses for this year are projected to be Tk 5.7 trillion in the budget. Of this, the public administration sector would get roughly Tk 2.97 trillion, or 22.1% of the expenditure budget.
Nonetheless, an approximate Tk 2.82 trillion has been anticipated for the development cost. A ministry is growing more weighty than the body if it receives 22% of the budget.
AK Azad suggested creating an administrative committee to assess the necessity of having so many ministries and agencies.
He mentioned that a few days prior, it was reported in the press that cars worth millions of crores of Taka are being purchased for AC and UNO. Ministers, however, drive their own automobiles when they travel to India, a neighbor.
Before he was elected to parliament, AK Azad was a businessman who claimed that the investment climate in the nation was getting harder and harder every day. Numerous issues affect entrepreneurs, such as rising loan interest rates, inadequate gasoline and electricity supplies, and rising transportation expenses. However, a few of India’s neighboring states offer different incentives to draw in investment.
