BMKS seeks neutral probe into cancellation of Tk 20 crore grant

Bangladesh Mohila Krira Sangstha (BMKS) president Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla on Saturday called for the formation of a neutral investigation committee to probe the previous interim government’s cancellation of the federation’s allocated Tk 20 crore and sought assistance from State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque in resolving the matter.

Recent media reports revealed that the Tk 20 crore grant allocated to the federation between 2022 and 2024 was allegedly taken back without any prior communication with the organisation.

“There was a Tk 20 crore grant allocated in favour of the organisation, held in two fixed deposit receipts (FDRs). We used the interest generated from these deposits to cover our operational expenses, competitions and development activities,” Shukla told reporters during a press conference at the federation’s office in Dhanmondi.

“However, based on the orders of the interim government’s Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, and through a directive signed by the then principal secretary Mohammad Sirajuddin Miah, Sonali Bank’s Prime Minister’s Office Corporate Branch encashed these FDRs,” she added.

Shukla claimed that, according to reliable information, the money was not transferred to any individual or institution but was instead returned to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund.

She warned that the cancellation of the grant has left the federation financially crippled.

“It is deeply unfortunate that [it has happened to] the organisation that has been working for 54 years since 1972 to create sporting opportunities for women and girls in Bangladesh… The organisation works tirelessly at the grassroots level to identify talent, provide training and support various federations.

“We depend on the dividends from these FDRs to meet our operating costs. By taking away this support, we have been economically paralysed and are now facing financial uncertainty,” she said.

According to the federation, the BMKS received Tk 10 crore from the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund in April 2022 and another Tk 10 crore in February 2024, bringing the total grant to Tk 20 crore.

The entire amount was deposited as fixed deposits at Sonali Bank’s Prime Minister’s Office Corporate Branch. Under the terms of the allocation, 80 per cent of the interest earned from the FDRs was to be spent on the development of women’s sports, while the remaining 20 per cent was to be added to the principal as “seed money.”

The signatories to the two FDR accounts were the federation’s then-president Mahbub Ara Gini (currently in prison), general secretary Engineer Feoza Karim Nelly and treasurer Rowshan Akhter Chobi.

According to documents presented at the press conference, the federation had been receiving quarterly interest payments at a rate of 5.5 per cent.

Federation officials said interest payments continued even after the fall of the previous government in August 2024, with the last payment received in August 2025.

However, after the current ad hoc committee, formed during the interim government, assumed responsibility in October 2025, the federation stopped receiving interest payments.

When the payments ceased, the federation’s accountant wrote to Sonali Bank’s corporate branch in December last year seeking clarification. However, the bank neither responded in writing nor provided a satisfactory explanation during in-person visits.

Finally, on May 6, the bank verbally informed the federation that the Tk 20 crore grant had been revoked by the Dr Yunus-led government and returned to the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund.

On behalf of the federation, Shukla also appealed to the government to restore the grant immediately.

“We earnestly appeal to the government, especially to the Honourable Prime Minister [Tarique Rahman], to return this Tk 20 crore state grant to us. The fund, which has reportedly been merged into the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund, should be reallocated to the federation. We also seek the support and cooperation of sports-loving citizens, media workers and all stakeholders to help preserve this long-standing institution with dignity,” she added.