Three senior economists yesterday said the government should utilise the expertise of Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus in running Grameen Bank.
Akbar Ali Khan, formerfinance adviser to a caretaker government; Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue; and former central bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed made their statements after the Supreme Court dismissed two petitions filed in connection with Yunus' removal from the post of Grameen Bank managing director.
Akbar Ali Khan hopes an amicable solution to the issue is still possible. "'If the government agrees, there is scope for a peaceful solution to be accepted by all."
He said the government could appoint the Nobel Peace Prize winner as the chairman of the bank and the Supreme Court verdict is no bar to it.
Khan mentioned of the demands by the bank's directors and employees in this regard.
Debapriya Bhattacharya said the court verdict does not preclude the government from taking a measure to find an institutionalised role of Prof Muhammad Yunus so that Grameen Bank continues to draw upon his experience, wisdom and reputation.
Former central bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said if the government accommodate him [Yunus] in any advisory role in Grameen Bank, the transitional leadership would be benefited.
"Grameen Bank has become a world class model. His [Yunus'] sudden leave would bring any good result neither for the bank's 83 lakh borrowers nor for the government," said Ahmed.
Source: The Daily Star (May 5, 2011)
