Speakers at a discussion on Thursday stressed on increasing allocation for health and environment sectors in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year (FY).
They argued that the health sector crisis was deepening in the country, which is also largely vulnerable to climate change.
They put forward the demand at a post-budget discussion titled "National Budget 2021-22: Health and Environment Perspectives", organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA).
The speakers said the country needs to change its focus from one-group economy to multi-group economy, and thus it needs to focus on the use of technology in agriculture and production of environmentally friendly seeds and crops.
The scope of more research needed to be created further to this end, they added.
Presenting the keynote paper, Bidhan Chandra Pal of BAPA said that there was no clear reflection of many issues related to environment and health in the new budget.
He suggested increasing the capacity of agricultural research institutions and expanding the scope of research while ensuring fair prices of agricultural products.
Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman, however, appreciated the practice of separate budgeting on environment.
Prof Anu Muhammad said the projects those are destroying the environment of the country cannot be termed in any way as development projects.
He proposed increasing the budgetary allocation for the sectors of environment, health, education and employment.
Speakers also proposed to allocate more to help improve women's health, and increase taxes on tobacco.
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