President of Bangladesh Mohila Krira Sangstha (BMKS), Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, has urged the establishment of an impartial investigation committee to look into the withdrawal of Tk 20 crore allocated to the federation by the previous interim government. Shukla also sought assistance from State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque to address this issue.
Recent reports disclosed that the Tk 20 crore grant earmarked for the federation from 2022 to 2024 was reportedly withdrawn without prior notification to the organization.
During a press conference at the federation’s office in Dhanmondi, Shukla informed the media that the allocated Tk 20 crore was held in two fixed deposit receipts (FDRs. She explained that the interest accrued from these deposits was utilized for operational expenses, competitions, and development initiatives.
Shukla stated that upon the orders of the interim government’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and under a directive signed by the then principal secretary Mohammad Sirajuddin Miah, Sonali Bank’s Prime Minister’s Office Corporate Branch encashed the FDRs.
According to Shukla, credible sources revealed that the funds were not transferred to any individual or entity but were returned to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund.
Expressing concern, Shukla highlighted that the withdrawal of the grant has severely impacted the federation’s financial stability.
She emphasized the federation’s longstanding efforts since 1972 to promote sports opportunities for women in Bangladesh and its essential role in talent identification, training, and federation support at the grassroots level.
Dependent on the FDR dividends for operational expenses, the federation has faced economic challenges due to the grant’s cancellation, leading to financial uncertainty, according to Shukla.
The BMKS received Tk 10 crore in April 2022 and another Tk 10 crore in February 2024 from the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund, totaling Tk 20 crore. The entire amount was deposited as fixed deposits at Sonali Bank’s Prime Minister’s Office Corporate Branch, with 80% of the interest intended for women’s sports development and the remaining 20% as “seed money.”
The signatories to the FDR accounts were the federation’s former president Mahbub Ara Gini, general secretary Engineer Feoza Karim Nelly, and treasurer Rowshan Akhter Chobi.
Documents revealed that the federation received quarterly interest payments at a rate of 5.5%. Despite the change in government in August 2024, interest payments continued until August 2025.
Following the assumption of responsibilities by the ad hoc committee under the interim government in October 2025, interest payments ceased, causing concern for the federation. Despite seeking clarification from the bank in December last year, no satisfactory explanation was provided.
Subsequently, on May 6, the bank verbally informed the federation that the Tk 20 crore grant had been revoked by the government led by Dr. Yunus and returned to the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund.
Shukla appealed to the government, particularly to the Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to reinstate the grant promptly. She urged the government to reallocate the fund back to the federation and solicited support from sports enthusiasts, media personnel, and stakeholders to uphold the institution’s dignity.
