The aim of the bill is to bring the surplus money held by 61 state agencies to the national exchequer to use it for development projects. According to Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) data, there are 17 non-financial state-owned companies and corporations, of which 13 have surplus money to the tune of Tk13,558 crore. Power Grid Company’s surplus fund is Tk787 crore, while Titas Gas has Tk5,791 crore, Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO) Tk1,197 crore and Atlas Bangladesh has Tk392 crore in surplus. Eastern Cables has Tk49 crore, National Tubes Tk520 crore, Renwick Jajneswar Tk4 crore and Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company has Tk401 crore in surplus. If the government took away the money, it would cast a negative impact on the share prices as surplus money was the money of shareholders also, said Khairul.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 17, 2020 06:00 UTC