Measures underway to crack down on financial graft godfathers: Salehuddin

The government is taking strict measures to launch a crackdown on the godfathers of corrupt individuals in the financial sector, including money launderers, said Finance and Commerce Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed today.

"Already bank accounts of many of them have been seized. This is a primary initiative. Afterward, there will be investigations and if found guilty, they will be prosecuted," the adviser told reporters after a meeting at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM) in Dhaka.

He added that these measures will be implemented as soon as possible.

Asked about the high prices of essential commodities in the market, Salehuddin said, "It is not that the prices have not decreased at all. The problem will not be solved quickly. Prices will gradually decrease. Some initiatives have already been taken, for example, potato and onion import duty has been reduced."

The adviser also said, "The government is taking a strict stand against the market manipulators. The deputy commissioners have been instructed to take measures. Regular market supervision will be done. But it is also necessary to see that the producers of the product get fair prices."

Addressing the ongoing unrest in the garment sector, Salehuddin assured that the situation would stabilise as law enforcers intensified their actions against disruptive elements.

He noted that authorities are actively targeting ill-intentioned outsiders in the Ashulia, Baipail, and Gazipura areas.

"Discussions are ongoing with owners, workers, and political parties to mitigate the instability in the garment sector. The issue will be resolved soon," he added.

Regarding the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) decision to cancel the opportunity to whiten black money, Salehuddin said the absence of opportunities to legalise illicit assets will enable the NBR to effectively catch embezzlers.