Financial Institutions Division of Finance Ministry has answered Anti Corruption Commission's (ACC) letter about Mana-ging Director of Rupali Bank Ataur Rahman Prodhan. Finance Mini-stry's answer states that no punitive step was taken against Ataur Rahman Prodhan while he was working in Bangladesh and abroad at different times including Sonali Bank UK Limited (SBUK).
A letter to ACC signed by Rizwanul Huda, Deputy Secretary, Finance Mini-stry states that Bangladesh Bank's approval is taken in case of appointing managing directors for banks. Bangladesh Bank issues such approvals considering all relevant aspects.
Ataur Rahman Prodhan was appointed for the post of Rupali Bank's Managing Director after thorough assessment about all facts and figures about him. Ataur Rahman Prodhan has served the country's banking sector for longer than 30 years and during this period no action was taken against him, according to Finance Ministry's letter to Anti Corruption Commission.
Finance Ministry further added to the letter that Ataur Rahman Prodhan has submitted an appeal petition against the fine of 70, 000 pounds on him to Regulatory Decisions Committee (RDC). This appeal has not been yet resolved. Even there are another two higher levels where appeals can be filed after it is settled up by RDC. Finance Ministry's letter to ACC also stated that an employee named Steven Smith has been dismissed in connection with money laundering.
In this context Ataur Rahman Prodhan said to The Asian Age that four lakh dollars dividend from Sonali Bank UK Limited's (SBUK) profit was paid to the government after he took charge of SBUK in 2012. In 2013 10 lakh dollars dividend was paid to the government, Ataur Rahman Prodhan further said. He added that he made the best of his efforts to revive the bank after he took over the top post of SBUK.
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