Finance Minister AMA Muhith said yesterday the government will start taking wealth statements of the ministers and lawmakers next month to ensure its transparency and accountability.

"A draft regulation for submission of wealth statements by the ministers and lawmakers has been prepared and sent to the Cabinet Division," he told journalists after a meeting with the visiting Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation Bert Koenders at his office.

The regulation might be placed before the cabinet for approval by the end of this month or early next month, Muhith said.

Earlier in January, shortly after assuming office the finance minister told the media that the government would start taking wealth statements in February. But the process is yet to start

Replyihg to journalists' questions yesterday, Muhith said enactment of a law is not necessary for this, and it can be done by making a regulation or issqing an order. The ministers and legislators would have to update their wealth statements every year. The statements would contain information regarding their wealth, and whether they pay income taxor not

The minister noted that if wealth statements are taken, the government can know whether one is becoming a minister or lawmaker with 'Tk 10 in his pocket, and is leaving office withTk one crore.'

On defaulted loans, he said however influential a loan defaulter might be, he is a defaulter. The government will take similar legal steps against all loan defaulters.

Muhith mentioned that most of the big loan defaulters arc owners of sick industries. They now want waiver of interest, and say they are ready to pay the principal amount

Banks arc also responsible for industries becoming sick, he said, adding that they give the capital as loan, but not the working capital. As a result, many industries become sick.

Tne finance minister said banks are going to implement 'Basel-II compliance rule', and fresh loans are not likely to be defaulted.

On Sunday, he released a list of 2,196 loan defaulters in parliament.