Govt urged to involve all stakeholders

Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique Wednesday urged the government to involve all the stakeholders in the process of framing national budget to make it more accurate.
He said the national budget is the baseline of relationship between the government and its citizens. So, the stakeholders must be included from the very beginning of the budget formulation.
The DU vice chancellor was addressing the launching ceremony of the 'Centre on Budget and Policy' of Dhaka University and review of a book 'Inclusive Finance and Sustainable Development,' by Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Atiur Rahman.   
Atiur Rahman addressed the event as the special guest. Among others, DU Treasurer and Chairman of the newly established centre Prof Kamal Uddin, Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) Director General (DG) Toufic Ahmad Chowdhury and Business Faculty Dean Prof Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam were present on the occasion.
Inaugurating the institute, the DU vice-chancellor called upon the government to increase budgetary allocation for education sector as the sector has been experiencing financial hardship.
 "Besides, investment in the education sector can help other sectors manifold," the university VC added. He also the emphasised immediate need for reform in the education sector which has been witnessing serious inequity.
The BB Governor underscored the need for strengthening existing relationship between industry and academia to ensure market-oriented schooling.
He stressed the need for inclusion of the budget related course works in the academic syllabus to educate the community people about the national issue.
 "Regrettably, currently there is very little scope for the students and teachers to know about the government's monetary plan," he added.
The book is the compilation of the governor's speeches and talks delivered at different forums in the last four years that includes, financial inclusion, SME financing, automation of banking system, financial crisis and global business challenges.
The book published by Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM), was edited by the BIBM DG Toufic Ahmad Chowdhury and Ziaul Karim. The book has 649 pages divided into nine parts and is available in the market with a price Tk 1,000 only.
Regarding the book, the DU vice-chancellor said the governor has presented his ideas and argument in a clear and stimulating style and the collection will surely help all those who are interested in the filed of development.