District budget yet to deliver outcome

FE Report | Published: March 15, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Although the concept of district budget is a good tool to ensure local development, it is yet to deliver its desired outcome.
Discussants at a pre-budget dialogue, organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Tangail district town, made the observation on Friday, says a press release.
They also opined that the government should revise the methodology of formulating district budget and improve it in accordance with demands of the local people.
Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director of CPD, in his opening remarks said the discussion at district level aims to convey demands of the local people and their reflections on district budget to policymakers.
Towfiqul Islam Khan, Research Fellow of CPD, presented the keynote paper which showed that Tangail had excelled in reducing poverty compared to the national average. But extreme poverty level remained high.
The paper also showed that as a district, Tangail had mostly received budgetary allocation for roads and communication while other areas remained relatively unattended.
Moderator of the dialogue, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow of CPD observed that Tangail's socio-economic development was rather mixed, mainly due to uneven development across different areas within the greater district.
"Policymakers must have close coordination with the district-level administration to take effective development measures," he added.
He said the district budget needs a clear outline for revenue generation at the district level and the government should make sure that taxes and VAT are duly paid locally. The district budget should particularly address environmental vulnerability, hard-to-reach areas, marginalised people and women and children.
Chaired by Professor Sekender Hayat, Fazlur Rahman Khan Faruk, Administrator of District Council in Tangail was present as the chief guest. Professor Mirza Mohammad Abdul Momen, former Chairman of Economics in the Government Saadat College attended the dialogue as special guest while Anwarul Alam, a former Ambassador was the guest of honour.
Over 50 people from different fields participated in the floor discussion, highlighting the local requirements and lapses in budgetary allocation for Tangail.