DHAKA:  A total of Taka 22,502 crore has been looted from the banking sector during the two terms of ruling Awami League government, according to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) report.

CPD held a seminar on the country’s banking sector at a city’s hotel on Saturday (December 8).

Distinguished Fellow at CPD Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya moderated the seminar while CPD’s executive director Dr Fahmida Khatun presented the report.

Tk 22,502 crore has been looted due to irregularities and corruption, which is three forth of the total cost estimated for the Padma Bridge construction, said the report.

The money was gone through 14 banks, including government, private and Bangladesh Bank from 2009 to 2017, report also said.

However, CPD recommended five measures to be taken on an urgent basis to restore discipline in the sector.

The five measures, as per the report, include strengthening of central bank, no more approval of new banks, judicial steps against corruption.

BDST: 1635 DEC 8, 2018

AH/SMS