Muhith keeps mum on banking sector

Nothing budged Finance Minister AMA Muhith after yesterday's spree of attacks as he kept from commenting over the banking sector at parliament today.

He placed his speech during the discussion on supplementary budget for fiscal 2017-18, but, not for once, mentioned anything about the mass looting in banks.

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Muhith conveyed his respect for the creators of the constitution that has kept a provision for adjusting funds in case of mismatch of a budget at the end of a year. "Without this provision, it would not have been possible for the government to work properly," he said.

Yesterday, ruling party lawmakers blasted the veteran finance minister for keeping silent on the irregularities in banking sector. Some even accused him of favouring the "bank looters".

Even before his speech today, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said the finance minister would be answering the questions regarding irregularities in the banking sector. But, Muhith, very carefully, avoided to touch on the topic.

However, Muhith also drifted to discussions on the first two budgets of his career, delivered during the military regime of HM Ershad in the '80s, on the referrals made by some Jatiya Party lawmakers at the parliament.

"I said I was never a member of the Jatiya Party, nor was I a minister of their cabinet. I was a minister during Gen Ershad's military government. At that time Jatiya Party did not exist," he said. "Before the genesis of Jatiya Party, I quit."

"The members of Jatiya Party should remember this fact. If they fail to do so, necessary actions will be taken," Muhith said in a tone of warning.

In response to such, Jatiya Party lawmaker Kazi Firoz Rashid said that Minister Muhith need not to go to court against Jatiya Party lawmakers, rather he will have to face trial for protecting the bank looters. He also said, Jatiya Party will never have an experienced person like him.