Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday told Parliament that the ministries and divisions together spent Tk 982.92 crore on various programmes undertaken across the country to observe Mujib Borsho during the previous Awami League government.

Replying to a starred question from opposition lawmaker Md Mahbubur Rahman Belal (Rangpur-3) in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said a total of Tk 982. 91 crore was spent on implementing different programmes at district and upazila levels, installing portraits and memorial structures, constructing bronze, copper and marble statues at various government offices, and setting up state-sponsored digital countdown boards.

Responding to a supplementary question from the same lawmaker, Khosru said the government has not yet taken any decision on conducting an audit or investigation into the expenditure or initiating any other measures.

He, however, said the issue should not be viewed in isolation, noting that the previous government had incurred expenditure under several other heads as well.

“It is not only Mujib Borsho. There are many other issues. We are taking stock of all these matters,” the finance minister told the House.

He said the government is reviewing different areas of public expenditure and that appropriate decisions would be taken after completing the assessment process.

In his supplementary question, Belal wanted to know whether the government had initiated any audit or investigation into the expenditure and whether those responsible for any misuse or irregularities involving public funds would be brought to justice.

The opposition lawmaker also asked what steps the government would take to prevent unnecessary public spending in future for promoting any individual.