Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the opposition is criticizing the proposed budget even though taxes have been reduced on 60 essential commodities to help keep the cost of living under control.
“Yet the opposition is criticizing the budget,” he added.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a roadside meeting after inaugurating the dredging work of the Patli–Machhuakhali canal, associated with Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s memory, at Patalhi–Machhuakhali Khali under Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila on Saturday morning.
He said the tax cuts on essential goods, including rice, lentils, oil and salt, were aimed at easing pressure on consumers. “The taxes on all essential goods have been withdrawn from 60 products. The objective is to ensure people can live better lives,” he said.
The Prime Minister alleged that the opposition was attempting to create instability by opposing the budget. “The opposition says they do not accept this anti-people budget. I ask you, a budget that reduces taxes is not accepted by them,” he said.
He also referred to the opposition’s objection to price adjustments on certain goods. “A budget where the price of alcohol is increased, where the price of cigarettes is increased, is also not liked by the opposition,” he said, adding that their stance revealed their intent.
Tarique Rahman also said the opposition’s goal was not to stand by the people but to create unrest and confusion in the country.
“This country is our first address and our last address. If we build this country, we will be better off and our children will live in peace,” he said.
Saying that BNP does politics for the people, he said the party’s power comes from citizens and it aims to change people’s fate. “If we cannot build this country, our children will suffer. That is why we say—do work, build the country, Bangladesh first,” he added.
He also recalled that late president Ziaur Rahman had excavated the Patli canal nearly 50 years ago. Continuing that legacy, the canal is now being re-excavated under the current project.
According to him, around 40,000 people will benefit from the project, cultivation on 1,200 hectares of land will increase, and 8,500 farmers will receive direct irrigation facilities.
He added that special allocations have been made for farmers in the budget, and Farmer Cards will be distributed to 8,000 to 10,000 farmers in each upazila within a year.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister Farhad Hossain, Cox’s Bazar-3 MP Lutfur Rahman, and local BNP leader Harunur Rashid, among others, also spoke at the event.