The Sonali Bank chapter of Zia Parishad has recommended transfers and postings for six deputy general manager (DGM) level officials of Sonali Bank, raising fresh questions about external influence over the state-owned lender’s personnel matters.
The recommendation, printed on the organisation’s letterhead and dated 19 February, was submitted to the office of Sonali Bank Deputy Managing Director Md Rezaul Karim by leaders and activists of the group. The letter bears the name and signature of SM Abul Bashar, general secretary of Zia Parishad Sonali Bank branch.
According to the letter, the organisation proposed transferring DGM Md Selim Haidar of Patuakhali Principal Office to Kushtia Principal Office, and DGM Md Nazmul Haque of Kushtia Principal Office to Patuakhali Principal Office.
It also recommended moving DGM Md Asaduzzaman of the bank’s Public Relations Division at head office to the General Manager’s Office in Noakhali, and DGM Mustafaizur Rahman of Dilkusha Corporate Branch to the General Manager’s Office in Rangpur.
In addition, the letter proposed transferring GDM Nasimatul Jannat of Rangpur Principal Office to the General Manager’s Office in Jashore, and DGM Sanjit Kumar Banik of Sirajganj Principal Office to Khulna Corporate Branch.
Responding to the development, Sonali Bank Managing Director and CEO Md Shawkat Ali Khan told TIMES, “After the election, attempts are being made under the banners of various organisations to exert influence and disrupt the working environment. These matters will be reported to the government at the highest level. Necessary steps will be taken in line with government instructions.”
When asked whether Zia Parishad could recommend transfers using its letterhead, SM Abul Bashar told TIMES, “Of course we can make recommendations.”
Referring to the officials named in the letter, he alleged they were “associates of the fascists of the previous regime,” adding, “For the past 17 years they kept posting us outside Dhaka and moved us from district to district. Now we also want to send them outside Dhaka.”
Bashar also blamed DMD Md Rezaul Karim for the leak of the letter, alleging that he had been the third presidium member of Bangabandhu Parishad Sonali Bank branch and was still trying to “rehabilitate associates of the fascists.”
