Reza Kibria trashes proposed budget
The budget would not be implemented due to looting by the government in every project
Economist Reza Kibria has termed the budget announced for the fiscal year 2021-22 a failed one as, he said, the budget would not be implemented because of looting by the government in every project.
"It is a failed budget. The government will loot in every project and the budget will not be implemented. Someone experienced should have announced the budget instead of a finance minister who is a businessman," said Reza Ribria, son of former finance minister SM Kibria, at a discussion meeting titled "Youth Budget Thoughts" held in the capital on Monday.
Thousands of crores of taka are being spent in the electricity sector but the government is misusing the entire money, he alleged, adding that of the total electricity produced, 60% remains surplus.
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Kibria further said that the two most important sectors of the country – education and health – have not been given priority in this budget. The health sector should have been given more importance because of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Virtually joining the event, renowned economist Professor Anu Muhammad said there are many benefits in this budget for those who have a lot of assets, such as corporate class, garment owners, businessmen and other capitalists. On the other hand, there is nothing significant for the poor, underprivileged and unprivileged people rather a burden of taxation has been imposed on them.
"In the budget every year, owners of coal-based electricity producing companies are being subsidised by thousands of crores of money even though they do not generate electricity. Besides, the government has been raising the prices of oil, gas and water frequently, causing sufferings to low-income people," said Anu Muhammad criticising the government.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association Executive Director Syeda Rezwana Hasan said that the budget was not environmentally friendly as the environment, life and nature have been given less importance than last year.
Dhaka University Central Students' Union Vice President Nurul Haque Nur said that the budget did not give priority to 1.5 crores poor and one crore ultra-poor in the country.
Among others, from Student Rights Council, its central acting convenor Muhammad Rashed Khan, joint convener Faruk Hasan; from Youth Rights Council, its Convenor Md Ataullah, Acting Member Secretary Monzur Morshed, from Workers Rights Council, its Convenor Abdur Rahman and Secretary Arifur Rahman were present on the occasion.
