Badrul Ahsan :Five state-owned banks have applied to the concern ministry for injection of Tk34.97 billion to make up their capital shortfalls and to comply with the Basel-III requirements, sources said. Basel III is a set of standards and practices created to ensure that international banks maintain adequate capital to sustain themselves during periods of economic strain.Three state-owned commercial banks (SCBs) — Sonali, Rupali and Janata banks — and two specialised banks — BASIC Bank and Bangladesh Krishi Bank — have recently applied to the Finance Ministry for the said amount.Of the banks, Sonali Bank applied for Tk 10.50 billion, Janata Tk 6.63 billion, Rupali Tk 1.46 billion, BASIC Tk 10.56 billion and Bangladesh Krishi Bank Tk 5.82 billion. Besides, they together have also placed their demands for Tk 46 billion for the next fiscal year (2016-17) and Tk 48.54 billion for the fiscal 2017-18.Talking to The New Nation, a General Manager of the State-owned Sonali Bank preferring anonymity said this scam hit state-owned bank is facing complicacies in complying with the requirement of Basel-III requirement.However, neither of the Chief Executive Officers at the banks could be contracted despite several attempts nor any other high official wanted to comment on the issue.Meanwhile, a high official of the Finance Ministry preferring anonymity said the bank and financial institutions division had already forwarded notes to the finance division for immediate release of the funds.”High-ups from the Sonali and BASIC Banks have been pressing us hard to release the amount,” he said. “They are even contacting us everyday on the matters,” he added. He also said the National Pay Scale 2015 and arrears thereon involve huge amounts and the government may take funds to meet that requirement.Expressing annoyance over the move by banks, another senior official at the ministry said, “If government releases the funds, the banks would remain sound for a few months and then again fall back on ’empty’ coffers.”The sources at the ministry said the banks are repeatedly applying for input of fresh amount mainly due to their inefficient management and political influence in allocating loans and others.”If the government fails to bring a smooth operation and ensures efficient management in the banks, then the shortfall will continue to occur every year,” he said.
