Noted economist Prof Dr Abul Barakat has criticised Finance Minister AMA Muhith for his various policies and comments.
“He (Muhith) sometimes says that money is no problem and then again says that he cannot go for a big budget,” Barakat said at a seminar organised by Chittagong chapter of Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) yesterday.
“He (Muhit) wants privatisation. However, liberalisation does not mean all-out privatisation. Let him privatise primary healthcare and primary education if he has the guts,” said Barakat.
The BEA had proposed an alternative budget for the last fiscal. Barakat said Muhith was asked about it at a pre-budget media briefing. “Taking a swipe at the alternative budget, Muhith asked the proposers to announce the budget themselves.”
The budget proposed by the BEA was more than double of what the finance minister had proposed. It aimed at establishing a discrimination-free society and suggested allocating 65% resources for development expenditure.
Barkat claimed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had asked Muhith about BEA’s budget. “I do not know exactly what he said in his reply. It seems he came up with a convenient answer which amply proves that he says which suits occasions,” he said.
