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Independent lawmaker Haji Mohammad Salim yesterday told parliament that the issue of siphoning off money, especially depositing money at Swiss banks, should be resolved "for the sake of the country's economy."

Referring to recent media reports, the lawmaker said, "Depositing money at different Swiss banks increased a lot in 2014, compared to the previous year. The money is worth constructing six Padma Bridges.

"The government should take the issue seriously and resolve it for the sake of the country's economy," he said in the House on a point of order.

Deposits by Bangladeshi citizens at various Swiss banks rose by 62 percent year-on-year in 2013, mainly due to political unrest and lack of safety throughout the year when many predicted a government changeover.

The deposits that stood at Tk 3,236 crore (372 million Swiss franc) at the year end were Tk 1,991 crore in 2012, according to the latest data of Swiss National Bank (SNB).

Salim told parliament that Bangladesh Bank did not get positive response from the Swiss authorities in spite of its initiatives to know the names of the Bangladeshis who deposited money at different Swiss banks.

"Switzerland has become a haven for siphoning money," he said.

The lawmaker also asked the central bank to play a more effective role in this regard.

He criticised the Speaker for her "silent role" and for not issuing any rule regarding different public interest issues he had raised in parliament earlier.

"Honourable Speaker, we speak out on point of order in parliament on different national and public interest issues. You just hear our statements but do not give any ruling. As a result, nobody pays heed to it and the problems remain unresolved. Had you issued rulings regarding the points of order, these problems would have been resolved and the nation would have been benefited," he said.

Salim added if you issue ruling, the ministries will be compelled to carry it out.

He called upon Finance Minister AMA Muhith and the Bangladesh Bank to be more active to stop money laundering.

Meanwhile, another independent lawmaker, Rustom Ali Farazi, yesterday demanded that the minister concerned give a statement in parliament regarding the government steps to bring back Bangladeshi fortune-seekers detained in different countries.

"People want to know what the government is doing to address the humanitarian issue," he said.