Finance Adviser apprises President of budget 2007-08

FE Team | Published: June 25, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam apprised President Iajuddin Ahmed of the budgetary measures for the fiscal 2007-08, ahead of its approval on June 28, reports UNB.
Finance Secretary Muhammed Tareq and National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Badiur Rahman accompanied the Finance Adviser at the briefing at Bangabhaban Sunday.
The national budget was proposed over radio/TV net work on June 7 in the absence of parliament. It would be approved by the President by way of an ordinance under section 93 (1) of the Constitution.
"The Finance Adviser briefed the President on the budget," NBR chairman told reporters at the Ministry of Finance on return from the Bangabhaban.
The press wing of Bangabhaban earlier had advised the media of a programme "Approval of National Budget 2007-08" for the media coverage. That ultimately proved wrong.
NBR chairman said the schedule for approval of the budget through ordinance is June 28 after approval by the Council of Advisers. Officials hinted that the meeting of the Council of Advisers might be held on June 27.
"We will review the measures, if any, proposed in the budget that goes against the interest of the people," said the NBR chairman.
After proposing the budget, the government had invited recommendations from different sections of the society and received as many as 1,808 suggestions through e-mail, website and postal mails.
The Ministry of Finance extended the deadline for submission of proposals till June 17 amid demand from the business community.
The ministry has compiled the proposals and made necessary recommendations for the Council of Advisers.
Withdrawal of proposed import duty on computer and computer accessories, textile machinery and increased duties on industrial raw materials and intermediate goods were at the forefront of the public opinion, finance ministry officials said.
Meanwhile, a Bangabhaban handout said the finance adviser handed over a draft of the proposed budget to the President and apprised him that the budget focused specially on poverty alleviation.