Hasina questions budget's constitutional basis
Sunday, 10 June 2007
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has questioned the constitutional basis of the announcement of new budget by the interim government as she claimed taxation cannot be imposed without approval the by people's elected representatives.
Talking to reporters at Sikdar Medical College Hospital in the city Saturday, she pointed out that, in accordance with the constitution, the national budget must be placed in parliament and passed by elected representatives, reports UNB.
She said a budget could be placed for a limited period of time in the interregnum by promulgating President's Ordinance under Article 93 of the constitution. Later, this budget ought to be passed by the parliament.
"Without elected representatives tax cannot be imposed under the constitution. I don't know how they will give its explanation. I cannot also perceive how they will legitimise it," the Awami League chief said.
The former Prime Minister said this budget would have to be endorsed by a parliament to be elected through an election, otherwise this budget will lack legitimacy.
"My question is how far this burden of (lack of) legitimacy will go on increasing," she said.
In reply to a question, Hasina said she has no expectation from this budget, as she finds no newness in it.
"There are no specific measures and planning in the budgetary provisions to arrest soaring price hike and also create employment." Hasina observed that when inflation goes up and gross domestic product (GDP) comes down, people do not get benefit out of it.
Talking to reporters at Sikdar Medical College Hospital in the city Saturday, she pointed out that, in accordance with the constitution, the national budget must be placed in parliament and passed by elected representatives, reports UNB.
She said a budget could be placed for a limited period of time in the interregnum by promulgating President's Ordinance under Article 93 of the constitution. Later, this budget ought to be passed by the parliament.
"Without elected representatives tax cannot be imposed under the constitution. I don't know how they will give its explanation. I cannot also perceive how they will legitimise it," the Awami League chief said.
The former Prime Minister said this budget would have to be endorsed by a parliament to be elected through an election, otherwise this budget will lack legitimacy.
"My question is how far this burden of (lack of) legitimacy will go on increasing," she said.
In reply to a question, Hasina said she has no expectation from this budget, as she finds no newness in it.
"There are no specific measures and planning in the budgetary provisions to arrest soaring price hike and also create employment." Hasina observed that when inflation goes up and gross domestic product (GDP) comes down, people do not get benefit out of it.