State-owned Rupali Bank paid employees’ income taxes from its exchequer amounting to Tk 23.2 million although the amount was to be deducted from their salaries.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday (May 21) recommended steps to be taken against those involved in the matter and collect the money within 90 days.
The meeting minutes of the committee revealed that the taxes of 2,129 employees were paid from Rupali Bank headquarters.
The Audit Division, Bangladesh Bank and finance ministry had asked the bank to collect the amount from the employees but they are yet to do so.
Rupali Bank said that many of the employees whose taxes have been paid have either passed away or are in retirement. If the amount is recalled they will be in financial trouble.
Despite the bank’s explanation, the Audit Division asked to them to deduct the money from the gratuity or pension funds of the individuals.

The committee also discussed the audit objection over the nearly Tk 230 million loan against Divine Knitwear.
The documents showed that the loan was approved in an individual’s name rather than the organisations.
The committee recommended lawsuits against those involved with the loan approval and said that the loss of nearly Tk 270 million caused by the loan default should be collected.