BD to move forward through FY ‘16 budget execution: PM

Terming the proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2015-16 as welfare-oriented, Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed her firm optimism that Bangladesh would move another step forward with its implementation, reports BSS.
"The proposed budget for FY 16 will pave the way for people's welfare and take the country another step forward by alleviating poverty," she said.
The Leader of the House expressed this hope while participating in the discussion on the proposed budget in parliament.
During her one hour 13 minute speech, the PM said though the size of the budget is big, it is implementable.
"Bangladesh is advancing towards self-sufficiency, and that's why the country has been able to place such a budget."
The government has executed 95.67 per cent of the 2014-15 budget despite nonstop hartals and blockades enforced by the BNP-Jamaat nexus, she also said.
Sheikh Hasina said none could deny Bangladesh's stunning socio-economic development. According to the World Bank and the IMF, Bangladesh's economy has jumped to 44th place from 58th by advancing 14 steps in one year.
She said Bangladesh has been placed at 33rd position from 36th in 2013 on the basis of equality of purchasing capacity. Per capita income has gone up to $1,314 now from $543 in 2005-06. Spelling out the government's steps for the development of the country, Sheikh Hasina said the poverty rate has been reduced to 22.4 per cent from 40 per cent in 2005, while the extreme poverty rate came down to 7.9 per cent from 24.23 per cent.
She said the average growth in the last five years was 6.2 per cent and the growth this year would be 6.51 per cent.
"The GDP rate would have crossed seven per cent had the BNP-Jamaat not enforced hartals and blockades for three months since January."
Extending her sincere thanks to the people for electing the government despite hundreds of odds and obstacles, the Prime Minister said placing of this budget would not have been possible, had the Bangladesh Awami League government not been elected.
She opined that whenever Awami League forms the government, investment rises, economy soars up, and poor people enjoy better life. This happens, as Awami League always works for the development of the people.
When Awami League came to power after 21 years, Sheikh Hasina also said the people first realized that the government works for betterment of the people, and there was a golden era from 1996 to 2001.
"But the people of the country again plunged into darkness for seven years when BNP-Jamaat and the caretaker government came to power," she added.