ARTICLE 19 (A19) Bangladesh and South Asia, a UK-based human rights organization, has appreciated the government’s initiative of special tax exemptions for the third gender citizens in the proposed budget for FY2021-22.  Such initiative will help mainstream third gender people by increasing their employment opportunity, living standard with dignity and socioeconomic security, A19 said in a media release on Monday. Read Include digital literacy programmes in the school curriculum: ARTICLE 19 The organisation said this initiative will enable them to play a progressive role in the country's economy and development.  A19 welcomed the intention of increasing the tax-free income limit for third gender people and said such additions will remove the stereotype mind-set gradually from society.  The organisation said the society will consider them, as well as sex-binary people as part of the gross development of the country without considering their gender identity. Also read: G-7 back steps to deter tax dodging by multinational firms Faruq Faisel, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia, said the budget has proposed special incentives to the private sector if they increase employment opportunity for the third gender population. “This initiative will increase employment opportunity for third gender persons in the private sector and change the social attitude towards them. Besides, these marginalized people will contribute to the productivity growth in the country and improve their living standard simultaneously," said Faisel. Read Irene Khan greeted as she resumes her new role from Aug 1

The finance minister’s proposed budget fell short of focusing on health and hygiene as a key priority in the post-Pandemic situation, even though the multi-sectoral damage inflicted by the virus has vividly embodied the necessity to meet the challenges in health and WASH sector, said speakers in a press conference on Sunday.

The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has welcomed the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2020-21, terming it as a business- and people-friendly budget.