Appropriation Bill-2014 passed

FE Report | Published: June 30, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The Jatiyo Sangsad (JS) Sunday passed the Appropriation Bill, 2014, authorising the government to spend Tk. 3.82 trillion for meeting both revenue and development expenditures in the next financial year, starting tomorrow (Tuesday).
Finance Minister AMA Muhith moved the bill in the house seeking a total allocation of Tk 3.82 trillion for the next fiscal year beginning July 01 next.
The House approved a total allocation of Tk. 2.30 trillion against 56 demands for grants by different ministries and organisations by voice vote while Tk. 1.52 trillion was charged on the consolidated fund.
Lawmakers moved 07 cut motions against the demands for grants but those were rejected by voice vote.
With the adoption of both the Appropriation Bill-2014 on the day and the Finance Bill-2014 on Saturday last, the national budget for fiscal 2014-15 got approval of the JS.
There were some changes in the Finance Bill-2014 including allowing undisclosed money in the housing sector sparking criticism of the Finance Minister.
He placed the national budget to the JS on June 05 last setting a 7.3 per cent gross domestic product growth target in the next fiscal.
The budget seeks to contain the average inflation rate at 6.0 per cent.
Stalwarts from both the ruling and the opposition parties discussed for around 60 hours the budget proposals placed by Mr AMA Muhith.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the opposition leader Raushan Ershad were present in the JS Sunday when the Appropriation Bill-2014 was passed.
The session started on the day at 10 in the morning with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
The cut-motions were moved against the demands for grants made by the ministries of public administration, home, foreign affairs, law, health, road division, banks and financial division.
Speaking on the cut-motions, Mr AMA Muhith said the government has taken a number of measures to streamline the country's banking sector.
"There are some scams with the Sonali Bank and the Basic Bank. We have already taken actions against the high officials of the Basic Bank for their alleged involvement in the scams," Mr. Muhith said.
The Finance Minister also said: "You will see more changes in the Basic Bank …"
Independent lawmaker Md Rustom Ali Farazi said Bangladesh is a unique country in the world where laws do not touch the ruling party men.
Speaking in favour of a cut-motion, Mr Farazi said the police force has now turned into a symbol of 'panic and suffering' to the people. Some other members criticised situation prevailing in the public sector health facilities.
The budget has set an overall revenue collection target of Tk 1.82 trillion, of which NBR tax revenue is Tk 1.49 trillion.