CHATTOGRAM, June 14: The common people in Chattogram seemed least interested in the budget proposed on Thursday for the next fiscal year (FY), but they were concerned about one thing-price hike.
In his reaction to the budget, rickshaw-puller Muhammed Shahidullah said, "I heard the government will increase the price in parliament. I actually do not know what a budget is. But, from tomorrow the prices of essentials will increase as the government has declared the high prices today."
Nure Ara Begum, a housewife, told The Financial Express that the government should control the price hike.
She said, "We are very frustrated over the price hike. I believe that the current budget will not give any solution to the price hike. After the budget every year the prices of essentials increase."
Rita Karim, another housewife, said, "Before announcement of the budget, the fares of public transport including rickshaw, baby taxis, etc already increased. The prices of other essentials have also increased. How can the budget control the price hike?"
Mohammed Jehed Ullah, a service holder, said, "We are fretful as the businessmen have increased the prices of all essentials after the budget. But, it is also true that our budget is not for the common people."
"Common people will not be benefited by the budget but the business community will be the most beneficiaries of it," he added.
Reajul Karim, a CNG baby taxi driver, said, "The price of gas has already increased and we are paying a high rent of Tk 800 per day for a CNG-run baby taxi to its owner. Our income is decreasing every day but our expenditure is increasing day by day. So, what is the importance of such a budget to us?"
Many of the city dwellers of Chattogram urged the government to control the price hike and not to impose any tax on the poor or middle class people.
Tonima Chowdhury, a school teacher, said, "Budget is very essential for a nation. But, our budget is protecting the interest of rich people. So, we who are common people are fretful about the budget. I think the top level of the government should be concerned about the interest of citizens."
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