For the first time, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will appear before the media in the official post-budget press conference on Friday, as Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has fallen ill.
The finance minister usually takes questions at the official media call, held a day after the proposed national budget is presented in the House.
Also Read- PM takes over budget speech from ailing Kamal
However, the prime minister will take questions on the budget at the briefing scheduled for 3pm Friday at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, according to her itinerary sent to the media from the press wing of the Prime Minister’s Office.
On Thursday, Hasina also had taken over the presentation of the Tk523,190 crore national budget for FY2019-20 as Kamal was struggling with his health.
Also Read- Tk523,190cr national budget for FY20 placed in parliament
The distressed finance minister was fumbling from the very beginning of his budget speech around 3pm, before Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury allowed him to deliver it sitting down.
In a novel move, Hasina around 4pm took over from him to complete the speech as Kamal continued to struggle throughout the session.
Read the full budget speech for FY20 here.
