Islami Bank tried to trick us: Noor

Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzman Noor has claimed that the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited had tried to trick the government into accepting its donation for arranging the ‘Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla’.

“When they came to the Prime Minister’s Office to submit a cheque, they wrote it in favour of Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla without anyone taking notice,” Noor told the press on Wednesday.

He was speaking on the Independence Day singing of the Bangladesh national anthem in a chorus by hundreds of thousands of people that set a Guinness record.

The government had faced a barrage of criticism following media reports that the bank, believed to have Jamaat-e-Islami links, had donated Tk 30 million for the Independence Day programme.

The cheque was later collected by the finance ministry without the money ever reaching the cultural affairs ministry, Noor said.

The minister said Islami Bank officials had not been invited to attend the singing event, though officials of other banks had been invited.

Facing fire from the media and other quarters, Noor, on Mar 18, denied having taken any money from the controversial Bank.

But that very day the Islami Bank authorities stated they had given Tk 30 million for the programme.

“We have taken contributions from 53 institutions and individuals. Islami Bank is not among them. You can take a copy of this list if you want,” Noor told reporters at the briefing.

He said the event had cost the government about Tk 300 million. “Audit is still on, so the figure may vary,” he said.

Reporters were told that workers from 409 factories under the BKMEA and 1,200 from BTMA, and teachers and students from 128 schools from around the capital had taken part in the event.

They were brought to the Tejgaon parade ground in 2,950 vehicles and four trains.

During the programme, 79 doctors and 162 medical assistants were present to provide first aid in case anyone were to fall ill.