Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said there will be no austerity in budgetary allocations for the upcoming national parliamentary elections.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, he made the remarks in response to questions about election-related expenditures.
When asked about the allocation for the upcoming general elections, the adviser said, "We will not be frugal in any way regarding the budgetary allocation for the election."
Speaking about the decisions made at the meeting, Dr Salehuddin said, "A decision on container handling at the Chattogram Port has been made. Approval has been given to purchase triple superphosphate (TSP) and urea fertilisers."
"A decision has also been made on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Once the LNG arrives, we will be able to enhance fertiliser supply to farmers. In addition, approval has been given for renovating 30 schools in Rangpur," he added.
Meanwhile, Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, responding to reporters' queries about the gazette declaring the National Board of Revenue (NBR) an essential service, said, "The gazette you have seen is final. There was no previous gazette, nor will there be another."
"I issue gazettes. I am not a decision-maker. They made the decision, and I issued the gazette," he said.
When asked about the progress in discussions with protesting NBR officials, he said, "Before we could even talk about whether a discussion was necessary or not, they had already withdrawn their protest. Once we understand they still have more demands, we will consider having a meeting."
Regarding port congestions, Mr Sakhawat said, "Port operations were not completely shut down. The goods that entered the port will now be shipped. The exact amount of loss has not been assessed yet, but the damage is not expected to be significant."
Hinting at the protesting officials, the labour adviser said, "Work does not stop just because someone is absent - not in Bangladesh, not anywhere in the world."
He added, "Many people are absent, but has work ever stopped?"
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