Jessore-3 MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed has urged the authorities to exempt people aged over 65 years from the proposed Tk2,000 tax in the budget for FY24.
During the discussion on the supplementary budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in Parliament on Monday, the lawmaker requested the finance minister to consider this matter.
He also demanded the withdrawal of the proposed 15% value-added tax on pens.
According to the proposed budget, this tax will be imposed when pens are supplied from the factory to the market, resulting in an increase in the price of pens.
Regarding the discussion on the supplementary budget, Awami League MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed stated that in the upcoming fiscal year (2022-23), a budget of Tk678,064 crore was allocated. In revised form, it has been set at Tk6,60,507 crore.
However, the significant aspect of the supplementary budget is that there has been no reduction in revenue earnings.
The minister's expectation is that there will be a total of Tk4,36,263 in revenue. As a result, the country's budget deficit decreased by 5.1%.
Kazi Nabil said: "Sheikh Hasina has been recognized as a role model for development worldwide since 2009 under her leadership. When she took office as the Prime Minister in 2009, the GDP was $60 billion. Currently, it has increased to $460 billion. In 2009, per capita income was $600, and now it has exceeded $2,700."
The lawmaker said: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has developed infrastructure as a result of implementing mega projects. She has been able to accomplish the dream of the Padma Bridge.”
Regarding the budget for the new fiscal year, he said the main theme of the 2023-24 budget is "Towards Smart Bangladesh by surpassing the long journey of development." The size of this budget is Tk7,61,785 crore.
The revenue target is set at Tk5,00,000 crore. A deficit of Tk2,61,000 crore has been estimated.
The annual development expenditure is estimated at Tk2,63,000 crore.
The inflation rate has been set at 6%. Next year, per capita income will increase to $2,961.
Kazi Nabil mentioned that one special aspect of the budget is that the income tax threshold has been set at Tk3,50,000.
He said the long-standing promise of the Prime Minister to introduce a universal pension scheme has been announced, which is one of many positive aspects of this year's budget.
The price of LP gas is being reduced in the budget. Proposals have been made to reduce prices in various sectors, including livestock meat, frozen fish, optical fibre, sweets, and homemade cakes, the Jessore-3 MP said.
Commenting on the criticism of the BNP-Jamaat, the Jessore-3 MP said: "What is the BNP-Jamaat doing to improve? Their Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairperson Tarique Rahman are both convicted and fugitive criminals. One of them has embezzled funds meant for an orphan, while the other is making big speeches from far away. They are conspiring against Bangladesh with the help of foreign elements."
In reference to the indication of the United States' new visa policy, he said they (BNP) believed that a country's visa policy would bring them into power. However, the reality is completely different. The US has made it clear that whether a party participates in the elections or not is not their concern.
"Now the BNP leaders are caught in their own trap," he added.
