Budget elicits mixed reaction

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Our Correspondent
KHULNA, Jun 08: The proposed national budget for 2012-13 financial year placed by the Finance Minister AMA Muhith today elicited mixed reaction from politicians, businessmen and professionals in Khulna.
The Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, welcomed the budget, terming it pro-people. He said the budget stressed poverty alleviation, subsidy in agriculture sector, and more allocation for the annual development programme and help make a digital Bangladesh.
The president of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kazi Aminur Rahman in a statement said the budget would help to continue with development in agriculture, education, health, communications and power sectors. The statement said the budget would help to create employment opportunities and gives indication for poverty alleviation.
The Khulna University vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Md Saifuddin Shah, welcomed the budget, saying that it has the highest allocation for agriculture, education and health. He also said the budget would be a milestone in the development of Bangladesh.
The Secretary General of Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee Sk Ashrafuzzaman said that the government has not included much allocation for the development of Khulna.
The president of Khulna city BNP M Nazrul Islam MP said the budget would bring about no change in the economy. There are no measures to check price spiral of essential commodities and to safeguard the interest of farmers.
BNP leader Nurul Islam Dadu bhai, said there was no reflection of people's hopes in the budget proposal and the budget had no indication for poverty alleviation.
District Awami League president and Administrator of District Council Sk Harun-or-Rashid, welcomed the budget, terming it pro-people. He said the budget stressed poverty alleviation, subsidy in agriculture sector, and more allocation for the annual development programme.
The President of Nagorik Forum Kayum Choudhury said the hopes of the people have been reflected in the budget.