DHAKA NEWS
Dhaka, May 12 A former caretaker government advisor insisted on Saturday that the opposition attend the upcoming budget session in parliament as it is their 'moral and constitutional' duty.
"There is no point in discussing the budget without the opposition. They [BNP] are saying that the country's economy is in a crisis. If they believe so, then it is their duty to say that in parliament, Akbar Ali Khan told a workshop organised by the Economic Reporters' Forum and the International Finance Corporation.
The parliament is set to start talks on the next fiscal's budget from May 27. Finance Minister AMA Muhith is expected to propose the budget for this fiscal on June 7.
Akbar Ali Khan, also a former cabinet secretary, pointed out that the budget formulation process is 'defective'.
"Discussion on the proposed budget goes on for only 18 to 24 days. It should at least be for six weeks."
Khan also criticised the role of the House members during the budget session pointing out that they only tend to praise the government instead of taking an in-depth view of the budget proposals.
The former finance secretary came down hard on the government's hint to raise more VAT as a part of its effort to prop up revenue collection saying it will increase the people's tax burden.
"VAT is not for a country where 60 to 70 percent people are illiterate."
The claim of economists that the country is in a 'crisis' is a criticism coming from their intention to do well for the government, Khan pointed out.
"It irks the government. But it's not rubbish or nonsense when they admit those facts to get loan from the IMF."
Around 60 economic correspondents from print and electronic media took part in the day-long workshop.
"There is no point in discussing the budget without the opposition. They [BNP] are saying that the country's economy is in a crisis. If they believe so, then it is their duty to say that in parliament, Akbar Ali Khan told a workshop organised by the Economic Reporters' Forum and the International Finance Corporation.
The parliament is set to start talks on the next fiscal's budget from May 27. Finance Minister AMA Muhith is expected to propose the budget for this fiscal on June 7.
Akbar Ali Khan, also a former cabinet secretary, pointed out that the budget formulation process is 'defective'.
"Discussion on the proposed budget goes on for only 18 to 24 days. It should at least be for six weeks."
Khan also criticised the role of the House members during the budget session pointing out that they only tend to praise the government instead of taking an in-depth view of the budget proposals.
The former finance secretary came down hard on the government's hint to raise more VAT as a part of its effort to prop up revenue collection saying it will increase the people's tax burden.
"VAT is not for a country where 60 to 70 percent people are illiterate."
The claim of economists that the country is in a 'crisis' is a criticism coming from their intention to do well for the government, Khan pointed out.
"It irks the government. But it's not rubbish or nonsense when they admit those facts to get loan from the IMF."
Around 60 economic correspondents from print and electronic media took part in the day-long workshop.
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