People want ‘pro poor’ budget
People who have been hit hard by the recent shutdown targeted at containing the coronavirus outbreak, have urged the government to announce a pro-poor national budget that saves both lives and livelihoods of the people.
They also have requested the federal government to prioritise health, agriculture, social back-up and education in the budget for 2020-21 fiscal year.
Bangladesh announced detection of its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. The overall holidays were announced from March 26 and later extended up to May 30 in phases.
An incredible number of day labourers and low-income people, together with those mixed up in non-essential sector, were hit the hardest with many losing their jobs.
Monir, a street child, said that all he wants is to have three square wholesome meals a day. “Nothing else matters to persons like us,” he said.
Rickshaw puller Ashikur Rahman said they don’t consider budget.
“I want to work and earn enough to feed my children. I request the authorities never to increase prices of daily essentials in upcoming days,” he said.
Nazrul Islam, a shopkeeper from old Dhaka, said he does not understand budget but sees a rise in prices of various goods after budget is announced each year. He said the federal government should pay attention so that prices of goods do skyrocket.
A farmer from Shariatpur, Abdul Khaleque, 60, said he faced unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus outbreak. He urged the government to prioritise the sector in budget to make sure farmers get fair prices.
Rabiul Alam, an English department student of Jagannath University, said health, agriculture, small venture or businesses should be given priority in the budget.
“We must increase allocation for the health sector. The federal government should increase budget allocation for agriculture to ensure food security. Besides, employment generation and improving education quality also needs to be addressed in this budget,” he said.
H Al Hasib, a nursing officer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), said the upcoming budget ought to be health sector friendly one.
“The federal government should ensure safety facilities for all health staff. Risk allowance ought to be given for all nursing staff. The federal government has recently ensured risk allowance for COVID-19 fighters but we hope that it will be increased and ensured for all nursing staff. We focus on serving the patients. Only one PPE isn't enough for each and every shift,” the Senior Vice President of Society for Nurses Safety and Rights (SNSR) said.
Private sector seeks focus
Bank official Rabeya Akter Ripa said the banking sector is very significant for a country’s economy. Sadly, it’s now going through difficult time. She urged taking proper steps to fortify the sector.
“However, Health, agriculture, social safety net, digital education system also needs to be prioritised,” she said.
M Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Assistant Director of Walton Group said the pandemic has already established an unprecedented impact on economies around the world.
“Many persons may lose their jobs as the overall activities in businesses and especially the private sectors have already been shut for over 8 weeks,” he said.
Rahman said many private companies couldn’t pay salaries as a result of too little income. “The private sector ought to be prioritised while announcing various stimulus packages in the cover 2020-21. The budget will include elements such as for example employment, manufacturing and mobilisation of the service sector to accelerate overall monetary activities,” he said.
According to Finance Ministry sources, the national budget for 2020-21 FY, which may very well be around Tk 565,000 crore, will probably give priority to reviving the economy with the rehabilitation of low-income people.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is scheduled to put his budget proposal in Parliament on June 11 if things go well.
