Padma Bridge to open by June next year: Muhith

After criticising the World Bank for bringing allegations of corruption in the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the bridge will be opened by June next year.

While awarding the then communication minister Syed Abul Hossain and his family as highest taxpayers in Dhaka city and highest taxpaying family in Dhaka division, the minister said the then World Bank boss raised false allegations of bribery against five key figures of the government, including the Prime Minister, and withdrew funding.

He said the baseless allegations led to the resignation of the then communication minister and his secretary who is now chairman of the NBR.

"I hope we will be able to open that Padma Bridge in the coming June, 2019 and I feel good that the nation awards them as highest taxpayers," he added.

Economic Affairs Adviser to the PM Dr Mashiur Rahman, one of the persons facing the allegations, was also present at the award-giving ceremony.