Budget will hit the poor, patronise the rich: Hasina

"By imposing tax and VAT on essentials, the alliance government has sacrificed the interest of the poor... it is the budget for devastating the poor and patronising the rich," she said, addressing the installation of UK unit of Jubo League in East London Thursday.

Rejecting the budget for fiscal 2003-04, Hasina urged the people to build up a united movement against the BNP-Jamaat government to protect the interest of common men.

She said the alliance government has increased duty and taxes on essentials, but reduced the duty on luxury items.

"This government, which claims itself as protectors of Islam, has reduced duty on liquors thereby exposing its true face," she said.

The Awami League chief blasted the alliance government for nominating Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury for the post of OIC Secretary General.

Criticising the government for the deteriorating law and order situation, she said the BNP-Jamaat government has presented the nation with dead bodies during its 19-month rule.

Chaired by outgoing president of UK Jubo League Harmuj Ali, the function was also addressed, among others, by AL Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP and columnist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury.

Hasina's younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Jubo League president Jahangir Kabir Nanak and general secretary Mirza Azam MP were present.

The new committee of UK unit Jubo League was formed recently with Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury as president and Tariq Ahmed as general secretary.

Hasina, who arrived in London from USA on Wednesday, left for Dhaka yesterday.