Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches yesterday highly appreciated the proposed budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year terming it a big development plan, which would augment the anti-poverty programmes of the government.
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 earlier implemented six budgets in a successful manner.
The new budget, bearing the sign of economic emancipation of the common people, is possible to implement; if accountability and transparency can be ensured at all levels, they hoped.
They said the fiscal measures indicate that Bangladesh is proceeding towards a tremendous development with the target of becoming the middle-income country by 2021.
The MPs said through implementation of six other pro-people budgets in a row the Sheikh Hasina’s government ensured tremendous progress of the country.
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 adding, a massive development is really visible in all sectors including, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and ICT.
The lawmakers bitterly criticized the role of BNP-Jamaat saying that BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia ultimately refrained from unleashing terror in the name of hartal and blockade as the people rejected her agitation programme against an elected and democratic government.
The lawmakers also praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for solving the longstanding enclaves issue through her farsighted diplomacy and charismatic leadership.
Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, treasury bench members Faruk Khan, Abu Syed Al Mahmud Swapon, Tipu Sultan, Mostaque Ahmed Robi, Mahbub Ali, Fazilatunnesa Bappi, Habib-e-Millat and AKM Fazlul Haque, and opposition bench member - Nurul Islam Milon and Mamunur Rashid took part in the discussion with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Finance Minister A M A Muhith placed a Taka 2 lakh 95 thousand 100 crore national budget for the fiscal year 2015-16 (FY16) on June 4 in parliament with a 7.0 percent GDP growth aiming at transforming Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041.
“The proposed budget is a big development budget, it is the first ever big volume budget as well. We will be able to implement the budget for 2015-16 like the previous ones,” Matia Chowdhury said while taking part in the discussion.
She said through this budgetary allocation it would be possible to achieve the MDGs target and ensure the economic development of the country.
Matia said despite political unrest and destructive activities of BNP-Jamaat clique Bangladesh witnessed a GDP growth of 6.51 percent in the current 2014-15 fiscal.
“The growth could have exceeded even 7 percent if a congenial political atmosphere prevailed in the country,” she mentioned.
The minister told the parliament that the country has already achieved a tremendous development in various sectors including investment, increasing foreign currency reserve, achieving sufficiency in food production, satisfactory production of electricity, bringing down the poverty rate and increasing life expectancy of the citizens.
Referring to the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Matia said if the bridge is constructed, the GDP growth would be increased by one percent.
She termed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka a successful one in resolving the 68-year land boundary disputes with India and signing of 22 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and protocols.
Referring to BNP’s negative remark on regional connectivity that Bangladesh would not be benefited through it, the agriculture minister said, “BNP doesn’t know that no taxes are imposed when goods cross the territories member states within the European Union.”
State Minister Meher Afroz termed the budget a poor-friendly and development one and said this is sign of efficient leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She thanked both the Prime Minister and the finance minister for placing a time-befitting budget for the betterment of the mass people.
Faruk Khan said the proposed budget is pro-people, a role model of progress in the world and it would boost anti-poverty plans of the government.
He said Bangladesh has achieved development in various aspects due to the pragmatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who earlier implemented six budgets in a successful manner.