Govt to bring money back from Swiss bank : PM

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina expressed on Saturday her government's firm determination to implement the new fiscal budget and thus ensure the country's socioeconomic development, report agencies.
"We'll implement the budget properly. If the budget is implemented, the country's socioeconomic status will get a boost further, and people will be able to lead a better life," she said.
The PM was speaking in parliament taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget for fiscal 2014-15.
About depositing money by some Bangladeshis in Swiss bank, she said the government has sought the list of the depositors. "We'll bring the money back…we'll spend the money for the country's development."
Talking about the 5.0 per cent deficit in the budget, she said: "This is very much normal and this five per cent deficit is acceptable worldwide."
She also emphasised the political stability in the country to attain the desired development goal.
Terming the proposed budget a time-befitting one, Hasina said the finance minister placed the budget keeping in mind the country's socio-economic development. "There has been no price hike of essentials after the budget announcement," she observed.
Reacting to the criticisms by a section of people, Hasina said such people always criticise everything. "They'll criticise whatever good thing you have done. They always look for faults in everything. I don't understand what kind of pleasure they find in faultfinding."
The PM appreciated opposition leader Raushon Ershad for her pragmatic step to join the last general election. "You (Raushon) took the right decision at the right time."
Responding to some criticisms of the opposition leader, Hasina said the opposition leader made some constructive criticisms. "You talked about the formalin in food. How do you know the government did not conduct its drive against this?" she questioned.
The PM advised the finance minister to impose surcharge on the usage of cell phones.
She also appreciated the finance minister for introducing health and environment surcharges, and mentioned that the duty imposed on the mobile phone sets was a little bit high and requested the minister to reduce it and impose the surcharge on mobile phone usage.
Hasina also urged the Finance Minister to reconsider the duty hike on LPG cylinder. "We cannot allow the wastage of gas through pipeline. The country is now producing the LPG cylinder, but that is not enough. It is needed to allow LPG cylinder under easy conditions," she added.
The PM asked for reducing the Advance Income Tax that imposed on the real estate sector. "The real estate sector is passing through a tough time, so you could consider it."
Talking about the capital market, Hasina said the government had taken various effective steps for the development of the capital market in the country.
In this connection, she asked Mr Muhith to maintain the status quo of the present facilities to the capital market.
The PM announced that the Commission that was formed to give proposals for the wages of the public servants will submit their report by December next. "Once the report is in hand, we'll be able to increase the wages of the public servants for another round."