Sangsad Bhaban, Mar 10 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday informed parliament that directives have been given for taking stern action against those who were involved in irregularities in the banking sector during the past government.

“Directives have been given for strengthening the central bank’s monitoring to prevent irregularities in the banking sector and taking stern action those who were involved in irregularities,” she said.

Replying to a tabled question from Awami League lawmaker AKM Rahmatullah for the PM’s question hour, Hasina further stated that the government has adopted the policy of distributing agricultural loan publicly for “stopping harassment” during credit disbursement.

She said steps have been taken to stop irregularities in banking sector by introducing automation and all activities of the central bank have been brought under automation.

She mentioned that reforms in banking sector have been strengthened further. As a part of this measure, the boards of directors of the state-run banks have been reconstituted, comprising experienced personalities from banking, law, economy, industry and trading sectors.

The Prime Minister said normal production was disrupted in different industries as these were not getting loans and other banking services during the previous government as the government had given directions with political predilections. “These industries became sick or shut down.”

She said the present government has formed a high-level taskforce and a committee to solve the problems of sick and shut-down industries and make a draft law in this regard and sort out the problems of sick industries.