"The bank should be committed to returning the money to government. We will give the money but at first the bank should submit a plan about its re-structure processes to the finance ministry. If its plan satisfies the government, it will get the money," the minister said.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on future plan of Bangladesh Co-operative Bank Ltd in Dhaka, Saifur said although the bank is a very old one, it has failed to maintain its activities with honesty.

If the bank utilises the government money by disbursing loan among poor people, more funds will be given, he added. Bangladesh Co-operative Bank organised the discussion to celebrate centenary of co-operatives in the country.

Addressing the discussion, Chairman of Bangladesh Co-operative Bank and Deputy Minister for Land M Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu said, "It is true that the bank failed to prove its worth in last few years but if we get the money, we will create a history in the country's banking sector".

Hedaetul Islam Chowdhury, secretary of finance division, Mokaddem Hossain, director of Bangladesh Co-operative Bank, PA Kiriwandenia, chairman of Sanasa Bank, Sri Lanka, and Professor of Economics Department of Dhaka University Momotaz Uddin Ahmed were also present at the discussion.