Labour Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain has said that if the interim government fails, the responsibility will not rest solely on the government—it will be a collective failure. Speaking at a CPD dialogue in Dhaka, he pointed out widespread corruption in the financial sector over the last 15 years, massive loan defaults, and unpunished money laundering cases. He urged caution for the future and highlighted some changes under the interim government, such as the absence of enforced disappearances.
Interim Government’s Failure – A Collective Responsibility
Labour Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain said:
“অন্তর্বর্তী সরকার ব্যর্থ হলে, এই ব্যর্থতা শুধু সরকারের একার নয়; এই ব্যর্থতা সবার।”
Translation: “If the interim government fails, this failure is not the government’s alone; it is everyone’s failure.”
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Adviser Sakhawat questioned whether an elected government would be able to bring to justice the governors and officials allegedly involved in money laundering and corruption, saying:
“যেসব গভর্নর টাকা পাচারসহ নানা অপকর্মে জড়িত, তাদের বিচার আমরা করতে পারলাম না। নির্বাচিত সরকার কি বিচার করতে পারবে? আমি জানি না।”
Translation: “We could not try the governors involved in money laundering and other crimes. Will an elected government be able to do so? I do not know.”
Massive Loot in the Financial Sector
Adviser Sakhawat reminded everyone of severe corruption in the financial sector over the past 15 years. According to him, 16 banks and 7 financial institutions were looted of Tk 48,000 crore, with Janata Bank alone losing Tk 24,000 crore.
He stated:
“কোথাও শুনেছেন কেন্দ্রীয় ব্যাংকের গভর্নর পালিয়ে যান? তিনজন গভর্নরকে খুঁজে পাওয়া যাচ্ছে না। এমনকি গরিবের গভর্নরও পালিয়ে গেছেন।”
Translation: “Have you ever heard of a central bank governor fleeing? Three governors cannot be found. Even the so-called ‘governor of the poor’ has fled.”
Changes Under the Interim Government
Despite the challenges, Sakhawat pointed out a positive shift under the interim administration:
“আমরা এক বছরে হয়তো কিছুই করতে পারিনি। কিন্তু দেখেন এখনতো কাউকে গুম করা হচ্ছে না। সর্বোচ্চ বলা হয় ফ্যাসিবাদের দোসর। এটা কি পরিবর্তন না?”
Translation: “Perhaps we have done nothing in a year. But see, now no one is being forcibly disappeared. At most, they are called collaborators of fascism. Is this not change?”
The Ongoing Challenges
The interim government took office on 8 August last year amid multiple economic crises:
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Rising non-performing loans (NPLs)
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Falling foreign reserves
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Declining investments and remittance inflows
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High inflation
At the CPD dialogue, business leaders voiced anger over energy shortages, extortion, and large-scale financial sector looting. They raised concerns about Tk 5 lakh crore in default loans, blaming political influence and the central bank’s weakness.
Source: Rtv News
