The ruling Awami League and its associate bodies have hailed the proposed national budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

They have termed the budget a ‘pragmatic, development-oriented and pro-people’.

Leaders and activists of the AL and its associate bodies brought out joyous processions and held rallies, hailing the budget.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal placed the Tk 6.03 trillion budget in parliament on Thursday.

After emerging from the parliament, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said in an impromptu reaction that the proposed budget is pro-people and development-oriented.

“This is the biggest budget in the country’s history. A Tk 6.03 trillion pro-people and development-oriented budget has been announced,” he said.

“The realistic and time-befitting budget was proposed taking public life and livelihood into cognizance,” he added.

Awami League presidium member Abdur Rahman said that the proposed budget is for the welfare of the country.

“The initiative to inoculate 16 crore people at a free of cost proves that Sheikh Hasina’s government is liable to the people and the country,” he said.

“Although the budget is ambitious one, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will set an example by implementing it full-fledgedly,” he added.

AL joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Hanif said that the budget has been proposed to make the economy faster and more dynamic by overcoming the effects of the coronavirus pandemic when the world economy is struggling.

“We think this budget is very good, pro-people and people-friendly,” he said.

However, this year's budget is very challenging, he added.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said the budget is a pro-people one.

“Despite the economic recession amid the ongoing wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the proposed budget will help keep ongoing development activities on,” he said.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said although the tax rate has been increased in the proposed budget, it is not imposed on the people.

“There are many interesting issues in this year’s budget. Extremely relaxed arrangements have been made for such taxes and VAT. The tax rate has been increased but not imposed on people unnecessarily,” he said.

“I think that this year’s budget is very pragmatic and it will create a good atmosphere for business,” he said.

Just after placing the budget, AL Dhaka City South and North, Krishak League, Jubo League, Swechchasebak League, Bangladesh Chhatra League unit brought out a procession and held rallies.

AL south unit brought out a procession in front of the party central office on Bangabandhu Avenue which paraded different city streets.

Other organisations have also welcomed the proposed budget and held rallies in the capital.