Re: Bangabandhu Khaleda Zia Livid Over Indian Hindoo Agent Professor Muhammad Yunus's Nobel Win ..... .....

Saifur Rahman is known to be a very honest person-brag most of BNP people.
Its probably true since the care taker government could not find anything
against him. But a good term with Saifur was very profitable-like this guy I
know personally whose $500 crore taka loan was forgiven. Recently Saifur's
son was arrested for corruption and stealing millions.

<nkdatta2468@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1173748206.339807.225340@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bangabandhu Khaleda Zia Livid Over Indian Hindoo Agent Professor
Muhammad Yunus's Nobel Win .....

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/23/d61023011713.htm

Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Monday, October 23, 2006

Saifur doubts contributions of Prof Yunus

Emphasising the BNP-led government's achievements, Finance Minister
Saifur Rahman yesterday cast doubt on contributions by Nobel laureate
Prof Muhammad Yunus and microcredit to the country's development.

"What did microcredit do regarding life expectancy, women literacy and
reserve of foreign exchange?" Saifur asked while addressing a farewell
programme at the finance and planning ministry. Officials of his
ministry organised the programme at the ministry auditorium as the
government's tenure expires on October 27.

The minister sarcastically remarked that the government has
established thousands of schools across the country. He posed a
question whether a handful of those institutions was established by
Prof Yunus or the BRAC.

Citing examples of the country's development during the BNP
government's rule, he asked how much of it was the result of
microcredit system.

Though Prof Yunus won Nobel Peace Prize for microcredit Saifur claimed
the then government of 1979-80 actually initiated the system.

Meanwhile, in his last speech as a minister of the outgoing
government, Saifur yesterday discussed a number of other issues.

Regretting the current political trend, the minister said he would not
involve in politics any further, as unethical "things" have to be done
in this arena.

He stressed that these unethical "things" are the reasons behind
corruption.

He mentioned an incident when a World Bank official informed him of a
serious corruption attempt in a project.

Saifur however ruled out one-sided criticism of Bangladesh in
connection with corruption, saying officials from international
organisations are equally involved in irregularities.

He expressed his frustration over the mammoth size of the government
and the differences among the ministers, MPs and bureaucrats and
lamented for the "good old days".

"We miserably lack democratic mentality," he bemoaned.

Though Bangladesh has a permanent civil service, Saifur said
corruption occurred too frequently in this sector and it must be
stopped.

Admitting that his ministry had delayed project implementation
process, he said, "The prime minister used to say that the planning
ministry is to blame for these."

The planning ministry actually holds up the project proposals from the
concerned ministries as it finds various problems during scrutiny and
thus the implementation further slows down.

The accusation is 99 percent appropriate, Saifur observed, adding,
though he formed a committee to avoid such circumstances it did not
work.

The minister started working at 10:30am and except for two to three
hours, he was busy signing files even at the farewell venue.

Saifur also attended a programme at the Finance Division yesterday.

==========================================================================================

Bangladesh Govt. Alleges Nobel Win Possible Only Because Of Clintons'
Patronage !! .....

[Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman alleged that Yunus was
able to win the Nobel Peace Prize only because he has good relations
with former US president Bill Clinton and New York Senator Hillary
Clinton, who helped Yunus in this regard]

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/20/d61020011913.htm

Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Friday, October 20, 2006

Saifur critical of Grameen Bank
Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar

Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman said true development of
the country will be achieved through establishing large-scale
industries and modernising agriculture, not by running microcredit
programmes.

Saifur criticised Grameen Bank's microcredit scheme and other
activities even though he congratulated Prof Muhammad Yunus on his
winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd
Moulvibazar branch yesterday afternoon.

Saifur said the people of Sylhet region demonstrated against the
Grameen Bank during the previous term of the BNP government and he had
to go to the spot himself to sort the situation out.

He claimed that the current government has distributed more
microcredit loans than the Grameen Bank. He said ac
cording to his knowledge none was able to relieve themselves of
poverty with the help of microcredit only and they failed to become
self-reliant.

Saifur alleged that Yunus was able to win the Nobel Peace Prize only
because he has good relations with former US president Bill Clinton
and New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who helped Yunus in this
regard.

Saifur also criticised Yunus' recent announcement to form a new
political party. The finance minister said great leaders like
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman had formed
political parties and their parties have been in power several times.
But they could not solve all the problems of the people.

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