Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman. File Photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 18, 2026 (BSS) - Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman today said the proposed Tk 9.38 lakh crore budget for fiscal year 2026-27 is a visionary and ambitious budget that will take Bangladesh to new heights and pave the way for building a self-reliant nation.

He made the remarks while participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

The minister said that in the past, budgets were often criticized as being either "anti-poor" or "pro-rich" immediately after their presentation. 

"However, no such reaction has been witnessed regarding the current budget because it has been formulated with due consideration to the interests of the poor, middle-income groups, marginalized communities, businesspeople and job-seeking youth," he said.

Asaduzzaman said the budget has been prepared in line with the government's long-term development plans and is not the outcome of a one-day exercise. "Rather, it reflects years of planning aimed at ensuring the country's development and public welfare," he added.

Responding to criticism that the budget is overly ambitious, the minister said no nation can progress without dreams and aspirations. "Development is impossible without ambition. To transform Bangladesh into a strong and self-reliant state, we must move forward with big goals," he added.

Highlighting the agriculture sector, he said subsidies have been retained while various support programmes, including agricultural cards and initiatives to increase production, have been continued for farmers. "The scope of the Family Card programme will also be expanded to deliver government assistance to marginalized people at their doorsteps," he added.

Referring to the education sector, the minister said the government is putting emphasis not only on certificate-based education but also on skill-based and employment-oriented learning. 

To this end, an additional allocation of nearly Tk 6,000 crore has been proposed for the development of technical and madrasa education. Special importance has also been given to healthcare, youth development and employment generation.

The minister said the government assumed office amid multiple economic challenges, including money laundering, weaknesses in the banking sector and global economic instability. Despite these challenges, it has formulated a realistic and development-oriented budget.

He said employment opportunities would be created through canal and river dredging projects, large-scale afforestation programmes and other development activities.

Md. Asaduzzaman said the proposed budget places emphasis on controlling inflation, expanding tax benefits, strengthening social safety-net programmes and establishing good governance. 

"It also reflects commitments to restoring discipline in the banking sector, ensuring the safety of public deposits and upholding the rule of law," he said.

Asaduzzaman further said the government seeks to replace a plundering and money laundering-based economy with a transparent, accountable and humane economic system, and that the proposed budget represents an important step toward achieving that goal.

Describing the budget as a reflection of the aspirations of the people, the minister said it outlines a roadmap for advancing Bangladesh through development, employment generation, social protection and good governance.