CPB terms it a budget prescribed by donors

Price increase of agricultural inputs, gas and power will hit hard the farmers and small entrepreneurs, affecting development of the country.

Speakers said this at a discussion on 'Budget 2003-2004', organised by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and held at its office yesterday.

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Development of human resource for poverty reduction is not be possible without proportionate increase of allocations for education and health sectors, they felt.

Chaired by CPB President Monzurul Ahsan Khan, the discussion was participated by economists Dr. Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, Dr. Atiur Rahman, Prof. Shafiquzzaman and Prof. M M Akash.

Atiur Rahman said the proposed taxes would hit hard the lower middle class and it would be impossible for them to pay those.

The proposed budget should have given adequate support to the poor people's economy for the development of the country, he thought.

Prof. Akash said the budget aims to please the donors. He cautioned that deregulation of large enterprises as per the donors' advice would simply destroy those.

Shafiquzzaman said Bangladesh has enormous potentials but those are not being utilised properly. He blamed certain quarters for this.

Manzurul Ahsan said the budget has been prepared as desired by the donors.