‘News over BB’s gold not authentic’

Special Correspondent: State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan claimed that the news published on different media about the gold in the Bangladesh Bank (BB) vaults were not authentic.

He said, “We aren’t taking anything lightly. The whole system will be reviewed and actions will be taken if any negligence is found.”

The state minister said this while briefing reporters at his secretariat office in the capital after a meeting with BB governor and official concerned on Wednesday.

He said, “The purity of the gold [bar] was 40 per cent, but it was mistakenly written 80 per cent ... It was a clerical error.”

Mannan said it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh Bank to look after public’s property and if any mistake happens from their side, the government will take necessary action.

When the Finance Minister will return home, he will take necessary steps in this regard, the junior minister added.

“There’s nothing to be worried about. Such clerical mistakes may occur if two organisations work together. All the gold are alright. People can go in and check for themselves. The door of the Bangladesh Bank is open to them,” he said.

During the briefing, BB Governor Fazle Kabir and Finance ministry’s banking section Senior Secretary Yunusur Rahman were, among others, present.
 

risingbd/Dhaka/July 18, 2018/Hasnat/A K Azad