MPs demand Hallmark action

Dhaka, Sep 5  Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim set off another round of heated discussion in Parliament on Wednesday when he demanded appropriate measures against those behind the Hallmark scam.

He demanded that the people behind this — and there must be many from different quarters, he said — must be brought to justice whoever they were.

"Sheikh Haisna's government will not accept the responsibility of this fraud."

The state-owned Sonali Bank's branch at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel had given out about Tk 36 billion – just below 2 percent of the national budget – to textile firm Hallmark Group and other dubious organisations with no notable collateral.

Tofail Ahmed, another senior MP of the ruling Awami League, backed Sheikh Selim. "The government will have to take the blame unless there are appropriate steps," he cautioned.

He demanded exemplary punishment for the scamsters.
Both the senior Awami League leaders blasted the Finance Minister for his recent statements that Tk 40 billion was not big deal for the government.