Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader Saturday said the main objective of the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 is to remove ongoing economic uncertainty and crisis and contain high inflation.
“The proposed budget is realistic and pro-people during the internal and global economic crisis,” he told a press conference at AL’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office. The press conference was arranged to express formal post-budget reaction of the party.
Quader said the aim of this budget is to gradually bring the country’s economy back to the path of dynamic economic growth which existed before corona pandemic and the ongoing wars in the world.
Welcoming the budget on behalf of AL, the party’s general secretary said the proposed budget is compatible with the slogan of the AL’s election manifesto ‘Smart Bangladesh: Development is visible, employment will increase this time’.
He extended thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali for presenting a balanced budget.
On June 6, the finance minister placed a Taka 7,97,000 crore national budget for the next fiscal year (FY25) at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) with the slogan “March Towards Smart Bangladesh Following the Path of Sustainable Development” in parliament.
The aim of the budget is building a smart, prosperous and happy Bangladesh.
Addressing the BNP, Quader said, “The BNP talks big today….Their last budget was a mere Tk68,000 crore. Despite that, [former finance minister] Saifur Rahman had to beg at various economic forums.
“No finance minister in our time has had to go abroad before presenting the budget. This shows the progress we have made.”
Expressing hope that inflation can be firmly controlled, Obaidul Quader said, “Through the coordinated efforts of various parts of the current government, we will be able to control inflation.
“This budget prioritises basic human rights, agriculture, domestic industries, and social security. It will improve the living standards of the country’s people.”
Asked whether actions will be taken against Awami League leaders accused of corruption, Quader replied, “Provide us with a list of those you consider corrupt, and we will ask the ACC to investigate.”
Awami League presidium members Kamrul Islam, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, and Organising Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, among others, were present.
