Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday that default loans at the country’s nine state-owned banks stood at Tk188,701.75 crore as of 31 May.
The minister disclosed the information while responding to a question from reserved-seat lawmaker Sabikun Nahar during the question-answer session at the Jatiya Sangsad.
Khosru said the figure was based on data submitted to the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) database by the state-owned banks as of 31 May.
The banks are Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, Rupali Bank, Sonali Bank, BASIC Bank, Bangladesh Development Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, and Probashi Kallyan Bank.
Meanwhile, the minister reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against those responsible for looting the country’s banking sector and siphoning off public money abroad, saying the incumbent government would continue legal action until the offenders are brought to justice.
Replying to supplementary questions from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2) during the question-answer session in parliament, Khosru said the government had already initiated extensive legal proceedings against the individuals and business groups involved in large-scale loan scams and financial irregularities.
“I have informed the House on several occasions about the measures being taken. Many cases have already been filed, investigations are progressing, and the process of attaching and confiscating the properties of a number of accused is already underway.”
The finance minister stressed that the government’s campaign against financial crimes would continue without interruption.
“Those who looted the country’s money and smuggled it abroad will receive no compromise from the BNP. This government will not compromise with anyone involved in such offences, and this process will continue,” he said.