Treasury bench members on Thursday hailed the proposed budget for next fiscal year describing it as pro-people, investment and business-friendly that would help implement Vision 2021 of the government by cutting poverty down to a significant level.
Taking part in a general discussion on the proposed budget for 2016-17 Fiscal Year, they said the government would be able to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and developed country by 2041 by implementing the country’s first ever biggest budget.
Highlighting the new budget, the lawmakers said in the past Bangladesh did not see such a huge budget, which is business-friendly, time-befitting and not ‘ambitious one’ rather it is a pro-people.
They said if all concerned put in their best efforts from their respective positions, it would be implemented the planned development programmes and the new budget and the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina achieved tremendous success in all sectors.
The lawmakers also termed the new budgetary allocations as a brave step for a developing country like Bangladesh but it was exclusively possible due to charismatic, visionary and farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on June 2 rolled out a Taka 340,605 crore national budget for 2016-2017 fiscal setting the GDP growth target at 7.2 percent and delineating a set of programmes to transform the country into a role model of modern and welfare state by 2041.
The ruling party lawmakers also said that Bangladesh is now awaiting a dignified positing in the global arena when the country would soon become a middle income country by 2021 with massive development in all sectors as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
During the discussion, treasury bench member Prof Zillur Hakim urged the government to construct the second Padma Bridge on Paturia-Daulatdia ghat aimed at transporting a large number of motor vehicles in the region.
He said the investment of the second Padma Bridge would return within seven years, as many industries would be established both side of the highway to Jessore after constructing of the bridge.
“Marine drive along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf road would have to be constructed quickly for attracting more tourists in the country,” the senior lawmaker said.
Begum Sanjida Khanam said the proposed budget has given Taka 100 crore as block allocation, for the Border Guard of Bangladesh, adding, “Bangladesh is fast moving towards its coveted goal with development and democracy under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
She said the allocation in the proposed budget should use properly and it would boost the country’s economy further in various sectors like women empowerment, adding, “The proposed budget is equity, development and welfare-oriented.” The new fiscal measures that depict the way to transform the country into a role model of modern and welfare state by 2041.”
Treasury bench member Shamsul Haque Bhuiyan prayed to the Almighty Allah for long live of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, so that she can complete her major tasks to make Bangladesh a developed country with her outstanding performance.
He sought the finance minister’s intervention regarding the private commercial banks and their additional interest in different sectors in the country.
“The national slogan would be the Joy Bangla and Joy Bangabandhu, because Bangladesh became independent by the two slogans,” Bhuiyan demanded.
Mir Mostak Ahmed Robi, M Sohrab Uddin, Amatul Kibria Keya Chowdhury, Manzurul Islam Liton, Advocate Umme Kulsum Smriti, took part in the discussion.
Earlier, they paid their heartfelt tribute to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyred freedom fighters and also those who made their supreme sacrifices during the War of Liberation and all subsequent democratic movements in the country.
