Mixed reactions to budget from Khulna elite

FE Team | Published: June 08, 2013 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Our Correspondent KHULNA, June 7: The national budget for fiscal year (FY) 2013-14 proposed by Finance Minister AMA Muhith Thursday elicited mixed reactions from politicians, businessmen and professionals in Khulna. President of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kazi Aminur Rahman in a statement said the budget would help to continue development made in agriculture, education, health, communications and power sectors. The statement said the budget would help to create employment opportunities for farmers and it is an indication for poverty alleviation. Former mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and candidate for upcoming KCC election Talukder Abdul Khaleque welcomed the budget terming it pro-people. He said the budget stressed poverty alleviation, subsidy in agriculture sector, and more allocation for the annual development programme. It will help to make a digital Bangladesh, he said. BNP-supported mayoral candidate Moniruzzaman Moni said the budget would bring about no change in the economy. There are no measures to check price spiral of essential commodities and to safeguard the interest of people. City BNP leader Nazrul Islam Monju MP said there is no reflection of people's hopes in the budget proposal and the budget had no indication for poverty alleviation. Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology Professor Dr Mohammad Alamgir welcomed the budget, saying that it has the highest allocation for agriculture, education and health. He also said the budget would be a milestone in the development of Bangladesh. Secretary General of Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee Sk Ashrafuzzaman said the government has not included much allocation for the development of Khulna. District Awami League president and administrator of the District Council Sk Harun-or-Rashid welcomed the budget terming it pro-people. President of Nogorik Forum Kayum Choudhury said the hopes of the people have been reflected in the budget.