The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday termed the proposed budget for the next financial year unrealistic and said it would not help overcome a dire economic crisis the country was facing now.
‘The government is saying an excellent budget has been placed which would bring about change. Our controlled media are saying the budget can’t bring any relief to people. They (govt) have completely failed to place a budget that can help get out of terrible economic crisis amid the growing price hikes in essentials,’ he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said that it was a vague budget where there was no clear indication of how and from where the money would come and how the growth would be achieved. ‘That is why economists are saying the budget is devoid of reality,’ he said.
Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad, a body of pro-BNP professionals, arranged the programme at the National Press Club, marking the 42nd death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Earlier on Thursday, finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presented a Tk 7,61,785 crore proposed national budget for the 2023-24 financial year in the national parliament with 7.5 per cent GDP growth.
Fakhrul said that the government widened the tax net to exploit the common people. ‘Even if you want to beg, you have to have a TIN number now... those who are exempted from income tax will also have to pay income tax of Tk 2000,’ he said.
He said that the government was taking mega projects for plundering by cutting the pockets of the common people.
The BNP leader said that ordinary people were suffering seriously as they could not afford daily necessities due to abnormal price hikes.
He said that the prices of rice, pulses, oil, salt, onion and ginger had already gone beyond the buying capacity of common people.
The BNP leader said that the current government could no longer be kept in power as it was ruining the future of the nation every day and every moment. ‘It (govt) is also destroying our potential and dignity. That’s why we all need to be united,’ he said.
Fakhrul said that their party wanted a free, fair and neutral election under a non-party caretaker government to restore people’s voting rights and democracy.
‘From past experiences, we can say the election will never be fair under Awami League without a neutral caretaker government,’ he said.
The BNP leader urged the government to quit power with dignity before time runs out fast.
‘Enough is enough, please now go away without hurting the people, Resign by handing over power to a caretaker government. Otherwise, the country’s people know very well how to unset you,’ he said pointing at the government.
