Dr. Abul Barkat speaks to DOT :
When looking at CPD’s pre-election report on embezzlements in the banking sector, it is clear that they do not like the current government.
Now perhaps CPD could have commented on something else – there is no lack of topics to discuss about. It wasn’t just in the last decade that Bangladesh experienced loan irregularities; it has been occurring for many years before. Why weren’t any actions taken against loan defaulters from previous decades? Are they anyone’s relatives? If a report has to be published then why not it be on everyone. The embezzlers should be appraised – a commission should be formed which would see to it. Bangladesh Bank should identify the culprits. It is important to investigate whether borrowers who built factories using loans have repaid their loans or not.
There exists a group of people who take loans primarily to not repay back. Another section of people borrow money, but are unable to repay. Yet another group exists made up of borrowers who build factories with their loans, are capable of repayment, but choose not to. It is important to be able to categorize defaulters in these categories. Instead of shutting down factories, a better alternative is to investigate why factories built with loans are non functional.
Prof. Abul Barkat is an economist
- INTERVIEW BY AMIRUL ISLAM
TRANSLATED BY ABRAR HUSSAIN