United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday described the just-concluded budget session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad as a "historic moment", saying it marked the return of a Parliament genuinely elected by the people after years of what he termed fascist rule. Delivering the concluding speech of the budget session – second of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, he said the Parliament passed a "people-friendly" budget through lively and democratic debates among treasury and opposition lawmakers. "As a political worker and a Member of Parliament, I believe this is a historic moment. After many years, Bangladesh now has a Parliament elected by the people where their true representatives have discussed and passed a national budget," the Prime Minister said. He said the government's objective was to present a budget that would directly benefit the people. "We wanted to prepare a life-friendly budget for the people. Various organisations that analyse the national budget have also acknowledged that this budget is largely people-friendly," Tarique Rahman said. He, however, stressed that effective implementation will require cooperation from the public administration, private institutions and all stakeholders so that the benefits of the budget reach people's doorsteps. The Prime Minister thanked all lawmakers and the people for making the new Parliament vibrant and democratic. Referring to debates on legislation during the session, he said differences of opinion were expressed freely by both treasury and opposition members. "This is the beauty of democracy and the essence of parliamentary democracy," Tarique Rahman said. He paid tribute to those who, he said, sacrificed their lives in different movements and struggles throughout the country's history. The Prime Minister recalled the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, the November 7, 1975 uprising, those killed in the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, the victims of the 2009 BDR mutiny, political activists who died during the anti-autocracy movement in 1990, and those who were killed, disappeared or subjected to repression during the past one-and-a-half decades of fascist rule. He also paid tribute to those killed during the July 2024 mass uprising, saying their sacrifices will always be remembered. Tarique Rahman said the government and the opposition agreed to stand beside those affected by the July uprising and others who made sacrifices for democracy, subject to the state's financial capacity. He said the government is committed to building a welfare state based on justice, equality and democratic values where no one will face discrimination because of wealth or status and where extremism will have no place. The Prime Minister said the government has already begun implementing several welfare initiatives, including the Family Card, Farmers' Card, Sports Card and honorariums for imams, muezzins and other religious leaders, as part of its commitment to ensuring broader state support for citizens. Parliament went into its maiden session on March 12 this year with President's address. The second session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, which also served as the budget session for the 2026-27 fiscal year, began on June 7. On June 30, Parliament passed a Tk 938,000 crore national budget for FY27, setting targets of 6.5 percent economic growth and reducing inflation to 7.5 percent.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Thursday dismissed the idea that government and the opposition were engaged in a "friendly game" during the budget session of Parliament, insisting that the relationship is based on constructive democratic engagement rather than political convenience. “There is no game here – no friendly game,” he told reporters at a press conference at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban while reviewing the budget session. His remarks came in response to questions following comments by a ruling party MP, who during budget debate had likened the atmosphere in Parliament to a "friendly match" between football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. "Messi and Ronaldo play football. There is no such game in Bangladesh's Parliament," the chief whip said, adding that any such comparison reflected personal opinions rather than political reality. He said the government wants an opposition that will cooperate on issues of national interest while remaining free to criticise the government whenever necessary. "A democratic opposition does not have to oppose everything. If criticism is genuine, it helps us correct our mistakes," Moni said. Describing the atmosphere during the budget session as cooperative, he said opposition lawmakers had been allocated 26 percent of the total speaking time but were ultimately allowed to speak for nearly 31 percent. The chief whip also claimed that, for the first time in Bangladesh's parliamentary history, the opposition leader requested the Speaker to move to the guillotine procedure after completing discussions on the budget. According to him, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman responded positively to several proposals raised by the opposition leader, including considering a tax exemption on a particular product and addressing a constituency issue by immediately instructing the relevant state minister to take action. Moni said such examples reflected a shared commitment by both the government and the opposition to work together in national interest. Defending the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, he described it as a "people-oriented" and "life-friendly" aimed at improving the living standards of ordinary citizens. The chief whip said the government had inherited a fragile economy, citing problems in the banking sector, foreign exchange market and alleged financial irregularities under the previous administration. Rather than pursuing large infrastructure projects, the government has prioritised welfare-oriented initiatives, including the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects, plantation of 25 crore trees, excavation of 20,000 kilometres of canals, expanded agricultural support and Family Card programmes, he said. Moni said taxes were not increased on 63 essential commodities, while taxes on several items were reduced to ease the burden on consumers. Quoting the Prime Minister, he said the budget was designed to protect people's livelihoods and improve social welfare. The chief whip also claimed that if the estimated US$16 billion allegedly siphoned out of the country annually could be prevented, Bangladesh's fiscal challenges will be significantly reduced. On constitutional reform, he noted that discussions on broader reforms could continue outside Parliament among political parties, while formal constitutional amendments will have to be processed within Parliament. Responding to concerns over the recent measles outbreak, Moni said the government is treating the issue seriously and confirmed that sufficient vaccine supplies are now available and immunisation campaigns are continuing across the country. On reports of "push-ins" from a neighbouring country, he rejected suggestions that the opposition was asked to withdraw a proposal of discussion on the issue in Parliament. Describing it as a national concern, the chief whip said Bangladesh wants to maintain relations with neighbouring countries based on mutual respect and understanding while ensuring that its territory will not be used against any other country. He also urged the media to give greater prominence to positive developments alongside negative news, arguing that many good initiatives often receive inadequate coverage. Whip M Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu was also present at the press conference.

Bangladesh's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 has reinstated the opportunity to legalise undisclosed money through real estate investment, reversing a pause maintained during the interim government's tenure. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, presenting the country's largest-ever budget of Tk 9,38,000 crore on Thursday, introduced a new mechanism under which individuals can whiten black money by purchasing plots and declaring previously hidden property values in their tax returns. Under the new provision added to the income tax law, a buyer who concealed the actual value of land, building or apartment in registration documents will be allowed to disclose the difference between the actual price and the registered value in their tax return, paying a 30 percent tax on that gap. Sellers who similarly concealed actual transaction values will face a 15 percent capital gains tax on the difference. If either party had already faced legal action before making a voluntary disclosure, an additional 20 percent penalty on the payable tax will apply. Crucially, anyone availing this provision will be shielded from scrutiny under any other existing law regarding the source of the funds, provided no court has previously convicted them of criminal offences or that no case against them is already pending. Real estate developers have welcomed the move. REHAB, the association of housing entrepreneurs, called it timely and constructive. “We commend the government for providing this opportunity to legalise black money through plot purchases,” said REHAB President Ali Afzal, adding that the decision would help boost the housing industry. The provision mirrors similar schemes offered in previous budgets, which critics have long argued reward tax evasion while undermining fiscal transparency.

Parliament will go into the Budget session on June 7, said a Parliament Secretariat press release on Thursday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has summoned the second session of the 13th Parliament at 3pm on that day, which will also be the first budget session of the current parliament. According to the release, the President convened the session exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Sources at the Parliament Secretariat said Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to place the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 11 (Thursday) As it is a budget session, the sitting is expected to be a lengthy one. The duration of the session will be finalised at a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee before the House goes into session. The first session of the 13th Parliament ended on April 30. During that session, a total of 94 bills were passed after 25 working days. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 that year, the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year was presented by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed of the interim government.  

This year the budget session of the Parliament will begin on May 31 as Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is scheduled to present the national budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year on June 1. President Mohammed Shahabuddin summoned the 23th session (Budget Session) of the 11th parliament exercising power bestowed upon him by Article 72(1) of the Constitution. The budget session will start at 5:00pm on May 31, said a press release from Parliament on Sunday. On May 11 last, the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday approved a Tk 263,000 crore Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the next fiscal year (FY24) making highest allocation of Tk 75,945 crore (28.88pc of allocation) in the transport and communication sector. Also read: 22nd session of 11th Parliament prorogued Out of the original ADP allocation, Tk 169,000crore will be drawn from the local sources while Tk 94,000 crore will come from the foreign sources. In 2022, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal placed Tk 678,064-crore national budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in the House.  

The Parliament opened its budget session on Sunday. The national budget for FY2022-23 will be debated and approved during this 18th session of the 11th Parliament. The session started at 5pm with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. Also read:JS selects 5-member panel of chairpersons Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is slated to place the budget proposals on June 9. On May 18 last, President Abdul Hamid summoned the JS session exercising power bestowed upon him by Article 72(1) of the Constitution. The 17th session of 11th parliament was prorogued on April 6 after eight sittings.

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) budget session for 2022-23 fiscal year will begin on June 5. President Abdul Hamid summoned the 18th JS session exercising power bestowed upon him by Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Also read: President prorogues 17th JS session The JS session will begin at 5 pm, said a press release signed by Md Tariq Mahmud, Director (public relations) of the Parliament Secretariat on Wednesday. The 17th session of 11th parliament was prorogued on April 6 after eight sittings.

The Budget Session of the current Parliament will begin on Wednesday to approve the national budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The session, said to be a brief one, will begin at 5 pm with the presence of a handful of lawmakers in the House as part of precautionary measures to maintain social distancing and thus avoid the risk of Covid-19 infections. Read:Govt. set to expand social safety allowances in upcoming budget Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will place the proposed budget of Tk 603,681 crore, which is 17.47% of the GDP, in the House on June 3 with more than 6% of deficit. It will be placed once it is approved by the special cabinet meeting which will be held at the cabinet room of Parliament with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. According to sources at the Parliament Secretariat, this session will be a brief one, not more than two weeks, unlike other budget sessions held before the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, the budget session was prorogued after nine working days due to the pandemic. It was the shortest budget session in Bangladesh’s recent history. Read: Prioritise saving lives, tackling inequality in budget: CPD Only budget-related and other important works will be done in this session while the question-answer sessions for the Prime Minister and Ministers will be tabled. Only MPs, staffers and officials of the parliament secretariat after being tested negative for Covid-19 will be allowed to attend the session. Senior MPs have been advised not to take part in the session. Parliament will conduct its daily business with less than 100 MPs for maintaining distance in their sitting arrangement. Read:Parliament gets Tk 336.14cr budget for next fiscal year As per the constitution of the country, there is an obligation to pass the budget before June 30 while the rules of procedure also instruct the MPs to take part in budget discussions. Meanwhile, the media has been advised to cover the budget session from live telecast on Sangsad Television instead of coming to parliament as no pass will be issued to journalists to cover the budget session this time also due to the Covid-19 situation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the government would continue to take measures to ease sufferings of the people by restoring their normal livelihoods alongside fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second budget session (8th session) of the 11th parliament began with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudury in the chair on Wednesday afternoon amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.