Awami League’s funds fall, Tk 250 million left in reserves

Fresh funds to the ruling Awami League’s coffers fell to Tk 48.43 million in 2016 from more than Tk 71 million a year ago, weakening its reserves.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 31 July 2017, 10:26 AM
Updated : 31 July 2017, 10:26 AM

It currently has Tk 255.81 million in reserves, according to the information provided to the Election Commission or EC by the party.

A three-member team from the party led by Presidium member Abdur Razzak went to the EC offices on Monday to turn in the party’s financial report.

The ruling party received Tk 48.43 million in fresh funds and spent Tk 30.18 million in 2016, according to the report.

The Awami League thus added Tk 18.25 million to its reserves, bringing its total to Tk 255.81 million.

The financial report on 2015 delivered last year had showed Awami League had received Tk 71.16 million that year and spent Tk 37.28 million.

In the election year of 2014, the party had raised Tk 90.55 million and spent Tk 34.44 million.

“We keep a significant portion of our reserves as fixed deposits in the bank,” Abdur Razzak told the media after submitting the report. “The rest is kept for regular spending. This year, we have earned Tk 12.46 million in interest.”

The other sources of income cited in the party’s documents included fees from members of the central executive committee, the advisory council, the national committee, the assistant secretaries, the central sub-committee and others, MPs, the sales of nomination papers for by-elections and grants.

The party spent its money on payments to its activists, bonuses, entertainment expenses, for central and public meetings, to run election offices, for party publications and relief activities.

The party’s Joint General Secretary Dipu Moni and Deputy Office Secretary Biplob Barua accompanied Razzak as part of the delegation.