The chairmen of Parliamentary Standing Committees at a pre-budget meeting on Wednesday suggested increasing budgetary allocations for power, communications and local government in the upcoming budget for fiscal 2013-14.They said the government should give emphasis on power and infrastructure development projects for rural development as this year is the last year of the present government, and it will be very difficult to implement big projects.
Chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, the meeting was addressed, among others, by chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries Ministry Tofail Ahmed, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry AKM Rahmatullah, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education Ministry Rashed Khan Menon and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on expatriate welfare ministry Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud.
Speaking at the meeting at the NEC conference room in the city, Tofail Ahmed said the government should increase allocations for local government and rural development so that development will be seen in rural areas.
He said the country is now passing through an abnormal situation and it will deteriorate further. “So, budget should be announced considering the possible political instability.”
Rashed Khan Menon suggested increasing allocations for the education sector and recommended allowing more budgets for checking river erosion, river and cannel dredging to ensure navigability.
Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud stressed the need for releasing budgetary allocations immediately after the budget announcement so that the ongoing projects could be implemented within a short period of time. UNB
