Govt deposits 1793.72kgs seized gold to BB

The government has deposited to the central bank 1793.72 kilogrammes (nearly two tonnes) of gold seized in last five years.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith disclosed the figures while replying to a question by MA Hannan, a lawmaker from Mymensingh-7, at the Jatiya Sangsad this morning.

After it’s auctioned, the money against the gold will be deposited to the state treasury, the minister said.

Bangladesh might have been used as a transit route of gold smuggling to India as the neighbouring country has imposed a heavy tax on importing gold, Muhith said highlighting the possible reasons behind gradual rise of smuggling.

A total of 490.866 kgs of gold were seized at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport alone in 2014-15 fiscal year and 99 cases were filed, the minister said.