Deputy speaker for strong civil society roles for budget monitoring, implementation

Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Shamsul Haque Tuku has called for strong civil society roles in effectively monitoring the upcoming national budget to prevent any potential misuse within the country's financial sector.

"Monitoring of the budget is more important than its growth. Through monitoring, the individuals who engage in misuse within the financial sector of the country should be resisted," he said while addressing as chief guest at the inaugural event of Unnayan Shamannay's "Amader Sangsad (Our Parliament)" platform at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Wednesday (22 May).

"Amader Sangsad" is the latest initiative in Unnayan Shamannay's long-standing campaign for a participatory budget in Bangladesh. The platform, facilitated by Unnayan Shamannay and Bank Asia PLC, aims to provide information and analysis services to parliamentarians and other stakeholders during the upcoming budget session.

In his speech, the deputy speaker also called for active involvement of civil society in making the national budget participatory, and ensuring its proper implementation.

He said effective participation of citizens at all levels, including public representatives, is crucial in the budget-making process.

Chairing the event, former governor of Bangladesh Bank and Unnayan Shamannay's founder Chairperson Emeritus Professor Dr Atiur Rahman said, "Now, the biggest challenge is the external economy. There is a huge deficit in the sector. To deal with it, subsidies for remittances and exports need to continue for some more days."

To address the deficit, he said an extra foreign inflow of approximately $15 billion is required. 

"In the last 17 days, the country has received around $136 million in remittances. If the trend continues, remittances are expected to surpass $2.5 billion by the end of this month," he added.

In her speech, Jatiya Sangsad Whip Advocate Sanjida Khanam said the implementation of the budget is more difficult than its formulation, and discussion is needed on how to overcome this challenge.

Workers Party of Bangladesh President Barishal-2 lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, and deputy leader of the opposition in the parliament Chattogram-5 lawmaker Anisul Islam Mahmud, among others, also spoke on the occasion.

Abdullah Nadvi, research director of Unnayan Samannay, presented detailed proposals of the "Our Parliament" initiative.

The event was moderated by Head of Programmes of Unnayan Samannay Shahin Ul Alam.

Among others, representatives from various research, development and civil society organisations, university teachers and students and officials of Bank Asia attended the event.