Matia slams those questioning GDP growth

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury has criticised some research organisations for questioning 6.12 per cent growth of GDP in fiscal year 2013-2014. Taking part in the discussion in Parliament on the supplementary budget for the outgoing fiscal, Matia said: ‘We got only 3-4 months to implement the 2013-14 national budget due to anarchy unleashed by BNP-Jamaat. Despite this, we’ve achieved more than 6 per cent growth of the GDP.’ Matia said: ‘Some so-called research organisations questioned the statistics … if they deny and ridicule the BBS statistics (6.12 per cent growth of GDP), I suggest them to collect alternative statistics.’ She alleged that many intellectuals in the country want to fish in the troubled water, saying they don’t want to admit that not a single person had died from famine in the country under the Awami League-led government. The Agriculture Minister said that more than 7 per cent growth of GDP could have been achieved, if the country ‘did not face mayhem unleashed by BNP and Jamaat.’ She supported the supplementary budget of some Tk 14 billion (1400 crore) during the FY 2013-14 for the Home Ministry, according to UNB.