Staff Correspondent :
The country’s political vandalism and unrest consequently caused loss of Tk 11,000 crore to the national economy in the current fiscal year, which is around one percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith disclosed it in his speech during the budget presentation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-15 in the Parliament. He referred it to a survey of World Bank. The political instability also affected the sector-wise collection, forcing the authorities to revise the target of tax revenue downward at Tk 1,30,178 crore in FY 2013-14 by reducing Tk 11,000 crore.
In the run up to the 10th national election, there had been a series of political unrest in the first six months of the current FY, he said, adding that different political parties and alliances observed 45 days hartal and blockade in just six months from July last year.
The minister further said communication was disrupted, port activities came to a halt, retail and wholesale transactions came down to almost zero, which had a debilitating effect on government revenue collection. Frenzied destruction of government properties was another salient feature of these hartals and blockades, he said, adding that the main targets of attack were railway and government and non-government transports.
Government offices and educational institutions were not spared either, the Finance Minister said. Alongside the mass destruction of properties, there had been a number of death incidents as well, the minister mentioned.
