Muhith pledges spl allocation in next budget to clear arrears of tenders

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FE Report Finance Minister AMA Muhith said there would be special allocation in the next budget to pay the arrears of the government tenders of the past financial years. "We don't want to pass the burden of tender bills, especially roads and highways department, onto the next government, whoever comes to power-- ours or the opposition. We had to pay Tk 14 billion in outstanding bills in the first fiscal year alone when Awami League took power in 2008," Mr Muhith said while speaking at a reception programme on Monday in the city. Kotaliparabasi (Residents of Kotalipara) organised the reception programmes to honour the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed-who hailed from the upazila under Gopalganj district. Jatiyo Party Presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid, Managing Director of Investment Corporation Bangladesh Mohammad Fayekuzzaman, Azad Products Chairman Abul Kalam Azad, Rupali Bank Chairman Dr. Ahmed Al-Kabir spoke at the programme. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Vice Chancellor Dr. Nazrul Islam presided over the reception function. Speaking as the chief guest, Mr Muhith said as per the constitutional obligation, the new elected government will take power by January 25 and the present government is ready to handover power to the next one democratically. Mentioning politics is the art of compromise, he said Awami League (AL) government believes in discussion, compromise and sacrifice for the betterment of the country. The finance minister said Bangladesh has tremendous potentials in many sectors to grow and in anyway AL would not let this prospect spoil. Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed urged the finance minister and others in the government to work for the smooth transition of power. "If power transition is undemocratic, the people of the country will be core sufferers, especially 35 million businessmen," he said.