JS witnesses lively debate on proposed FY27 budget

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Saturday witnessed a lively debate on the proposed Tk9.38 lakh crore national budget for FY27, with senior lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches offering sharply contrasting assessments ahead of its scheduled passage on Tuesday.
Treasury members described the budget as a pragmatic roadmap for economic recovery after years of institutional decline, while opposition lawmakers criticised it as business-friendly, unrealistic and burdensome for ordinary people. 
Despite their differences, MPs from both sides pressed for greater investment in regional infrastructure and sector-specific development. The debate took place during the 16th sitting of the first budget session of the 13th Parliament, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.
BNP senior MP and former minister Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said the success of the budget would depend on the government's ability to curb corruption. 
Calling for a zero-tolerance policy, he said even a minimum reduction in corruption would significantly improve budget implementation.
He alleged that corruption in revenue collection continued to deprive the state of legitimate income and urged the finance minister to reconsider higher taxes on low-cost bidis, arguing that they are mainly consumed by poor agricultural workers and labourers. He also called for tougher action against narcotics trafficking.
BNP lawmaker Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury argued that merely changing the names or uniforms of law enforcement agencies would not bring meaningful reform without changing institutional culture.
Former minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury praised Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury for presenting what he described as a realistic budget amid global economic uncertainty stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war and instability in the Middle East.
 He also lauded the government's first four months in office and thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for his recent official visits to China and Malaysia.
State Minister for Food Md Abdul Bari said the government had maintained stable prices of rice and essential commodities despite external challenges, while State Minister for Information Yasir Khan Chowdhury defended the size of the budget, arguing that large-scale national development required substantial public spending.
Taking part in the debate, BNP MP Zainul Abdin Farroque called for increased allowances for freedom fighters to preserve their dignity. 
While welcoming allocations for healthcare and the revival of closed factories, he also criticised Jamaat-e-Islami over its role during the 1971 Liberation War, urging members of the party who were freedom fighters to speak more openly about the country's liberation history.
BNP MP Barkatullah Bulu proposed raising defence spending from Tk42,000 crore to Tk1 lakh crore, saying Bangladesh needed stronger military preparedness despite having no intention of waging war. He also sought the establishment of a specialised hospital for female garment workers.
Opposition MPs, however, mounted strong criticism of the proposed budget.
Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury alleged that the finance minister had prioritised business interests because of his background as a former chamber leader. 
He argued that the budget favoured corporate groups while neglecting farmers, workers and low-income citizens.
He also accused the government of failing to tackle corruption in the power sector and alleged that Tk85,000 crore had been siphoned from Islami Bank under the previous regime. 
Responding to remarks made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed about Jamaat's religious identity, he accused the minister of issuing "fatwas" in Parliament without adequate religious knowledge.
Jamaat MP Rafiqul Islam Khan described the budget as "not pro-people", arguing that the expansion of VAT would place additional pressure on the poor. 
He questioned the feasibility of achieving the government's targets of 6.5% GDP growth and 7.5% inflation when inflation currently exceeds 9%.
He also warned that non-performing loans had risen to Tk5,88,704 crore, representing around one-third of the banking sector. 
Rafiqul Islam further demanded budgetary allocations for Qawmi madrasahs, allowances for imams and muezzins, the repatriation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and legal action against those responsible for laundering money abroad.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party MP Andaleeve Rahman Partha welcomed the budget's welfare measures but called for the formation of a Bhola Development Committee to oversee construction of an airport, a university and the proposed Bhola-Barishal bridge.
Opposition lawmakers also criticised the slow implementation of development projects, noting that only 48% of the Annual Development Programme had been implemented during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year.