The BNP on Friday claimed that the government signed Tk 120 billion credit deals with Russia in a bid to misappropriate public money.
The main opposition party also commented that the deals ran contrary to national interest.
“The government has unilaterally signed Tk 120 billion credit deals with Russia without any discussion in Parliament,” Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed said at a discussion in Dhaka.
The former Law Minister further claimed that the credit agreements were signed with Russia on ‘an exorbitantly high interest rate’.
Such deal was sealed as people in the government could not resist the temptation to get commission, he alleged and said a 10 percent commission on the Tk 120 billion deal will fetch make them pocket Tk 12 billion.
“It’s not only that the country’s 160 million people now will have to bear the burden of such loans, but when the population reaches 200 million they will also have to do so. We strongly protest against signing of such loans defying national interest.”
Moudud came up with the observation while addressing a discussion meeting titled “Ways to save rule of democracy” organised by Ganatantra Unnayan Forum at VIP lounge of National Press Club.
The government on Tuesday inked three agreements and six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Russia on cooperation in different fields including setting up of much-awaited 1000 megawatts nuclear power plant in Rooppur in northern district of Pabna, and procurement of military equipment and weapons.
The defence and nuclear energy deals worth $1.5 billion or Tk 120 billion were signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s three-day visit to Russia after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin, Moscow. Bdnews24.com
