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DISCUSSION-BUDGET
Proposed budget is guideline of progress :Lawmakers
SANGSAD BHABAN, June 26, 2018 (BSS) – Treasury bench members today described the proposed national budget for the fiscal 2018-19 as guideline of progress to ensure a quality living standard in the country, which is time-befitting and pragmatic.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on June 7 rolled out a Taka 4,64,573 crore national budget for 2018-2019 fiscal setting the GDP growth target at 7.8 percent and delineating a set of programmes to transform the country into a role model of modern and welfare state by 2041.
Taking part in the general discussion on the fiscal plan in the Jatiya
Sangsad, they said Bangladesh has achieved development in different sectors as the Awami League-led government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Taking part in the discussion, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim said the sector needs more allocation for ensuring better health facilities. He said, “According to a medical journal Lancet, Bangladesh
scored 52 out of 195 countries far ahead of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Chaina.”
A 500-beded Burn and Plastic Sergey Institute and Hospital after the name of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be inaugurated in coming September by the Prime Minister, he said.
Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali said, the market-based economy of Bangladesh is the 43rd largest in the world in nominal terms, and 30th largest by purchasing power parity; it is classified among the Next Eleven emerging market middle income economies and a Frontier market.
Terming the proposed budget as the elevator of further development, Ali said, “There is no specific criticism on budget, civil societies could not make any particular setback of the budget.”
Taking part in a general discussion, AL Joint Secretary General Mahbubul Alam Hanif said that the proposed budget is the reflection of Awami League’s ideals.
Hanif said, the proposed budget has been placed for realizing the vision 2021 and building a developed country by 2041 announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hanif today categorically said that no conspiracy can hinder the current
pace of development as the present government is steadily leading the country towards its coveted goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021.
Sheikh Fazlul Karim (Selim) said, “It is a self-dependent budget, the
budget was proposed on relying our ability not depending on other countries.”
“The country is on the way forward of progress. The country has launched Bangabandhu-1, the first ever satellite of the country, in future the Nation would launch another one,” he said.
Selim said, the evil force is still occupied to create anarchy and unrest
to destroy all the achievements of the country, so people have to be aware of them and be united for the progress of the country.
The government has gradually expanded the tax net at the district level
while Bangladesh is now exporting food grains fulfilling the local
requirements as government provides subsidy in the sector, they said.
The government has introduced several allowances including old age and disability allowances to reduce poverty.
They emphasized the need for intensive efforts to accelerate the
development activities through new investments for creating jobs and raising the economy to a new height.
Expressing the government’s strong political will to move forward with gender equality and women’s empowerment, they said the government is pledge-bound to continue to work for the socio-economic and political empowerment of the women and higher education for girls.
Bangladesh would create more opportunities for women ensuring their access to politics, business for continuing the country’s image as role model for women empowerment.
The budget can be implemented by ensuring proper revenue collection, they said.
The global awards received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are the
evidence of the successes of Bangladesh. Trade and commerce have witnessed a remarkable development, the foreign exchange reserve increased significantly, per capita income has risen to a satisfactorily and employment opportunities have become widened, they observed. A massive development is visible in all
sectors including, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and ICT,
they added.
The lawmakers prayed to the Almighty Allah for the long life of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina, so that she can materialize the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through her outstanding performance.
Criticizing the proposed budget as pro-rich people, Jatiya Party leader
Fakhrul Imam urged to reduce the tax on poor people increasing it on rich people. He said, “The GDP rate would not work for reducing the gap between poor and rich people.”
Treasury bench member whip Atiur Rahman Atik, Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman Fizar, State Minister for Technical and Madrasa Education Kazi Keramat Ali, Adv Talukder Mohammad Younus, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, M Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, M Nazrul
Islam, Imran Ahmed, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Sabiha Nahar Begum, Bazlul Huq Harun, Solaiman Haque Zoarder , Yussuf Abdullah Harun , Md. Rezaul Haque Chowdhury , Sadhan Chandra Majumder , Md. Zillul Hakim , Hashibur Rahman Swapon , Abdul Matin Khasru , Dr. A.F.M. Ruhal Haque , Morshed Alam , Mohammad Mizanur Rahman , Syeda Saira Mohsin , Md. Ayeen Uddin , Mohd. Abdullah , Kamrul Laila Jolly, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury , Nizam Uddin Hazari
, took part in the discussion.
Md. Sawkat Chowdhure , Mahjabeen Morshed , Shahanara Begum , from opposition bench, Mujibul Bashar Maizbhandari from
Tarikat Federation also also took part in the general discussions on the
national budget.
Earlier, they paid their cordial tribute to the memory of Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyred freedom fighters and also those who made their utmost sacrifices during the War of Liberation and all subsequent democratic movements in the country.
BSS/DH/QC/2351 HRS