The central bank yesterday moved to take action against its 20 officials who led a demonstration to protest a decision to hire a general manager on a contractual basis for the Financial Intelligence Unit.

Bangladesh Bank served notice on the dissident officials, asking them to explain in three days why punitive action should not be taken for staging demonstrations during office hours, said AFM Asaduzzaman, deputy spokesman for the central bank.

“The demonstration was a total violation of the BB's rules and regulations. It was a punishable offence.”

Of the 20 officials, 11 are deputy general managers and nine joint directors, deputy directors and assistant directors.

A board meeting was due to be held on Sunday but the 200 demonstrating employees barred the entry of the directors.

They handed over a letter to all the board members asking them not to appoint a general manager on a contractual basis. The board expressed dissatisfaction over the demonstrations by the officials, according to the notice.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) was formed in 2012 to deal with money laundering matters. In 2013, BFIU has also achieved the membership of Egmont Group, an international cooperation in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Mustafa K Mujeri, a BB board member, said the directors gave the nod to appoint a general manager or consultant for the BFIU by issuing open tender.

“The opening is for a senior position at the BFIU. It requires expertise,” Mujeri told The Daily Star yesterday.

“Anyone who fits the criteria from inside or outside the BB can apply.”

An official who took part in the demonstration said the BB was moving to hire a retired general manager, Deb Prasad Debnath, on a contractual basis at the BFIU. Debnath is close to BB Governor Atiur Rahman, he added.

News:The Daily Star/23-Jun-2015