Budget ‘anti-people’, targets ‘unrealistic’

Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North and South units brought out separate protest marches in the capital yesterday, denouncing the proposed FY2026–27 budget as “anti-people”.

The Dhaka North unit held its procession from in front of Uttar Badda Kamil Madrasa, while the Dhaka South unit marched from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Brief rallies were held before both processions.

Addressing the rally at Baitul Mukarram north gate, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said the proposed budget did not reflect the spirit of the July 2024 uprising and instead continued the country’s conventional economic approach.

He alleged that the budget had been designed to protect the interests of the wealthy while increasing the tax burden on ordinary people.

Hamidur also questioned the budget’s fiscal framework, saying there was a major mismatch between expenditure and revenue projections and describing the revenue target as unrealistic.

Criticising the government’s dependence on the National Board of Revenue for revenue mobilisation, he said it would create additional pressure.

He further claimed that nearly 70 percent of the budget had been allocated to operational expenditure, calling the structure ineffective as it would squeeze development spending and intensify inflationary pressure.

Referring to recent increases in gas and fuel prices, Hamidur said higher energy costs would further raise living expenses for ordinary people. He also described the government’s employment generation commitments as “unrealistic”.

Citing Jamaat’s alternative budget proposal, he said the party had suggested a people-oriented budget with expenditure reduced by around Tk 1 lakh crore, but the government had not considered the recommendations.

He reiterated Jamaat’s proposals to raise the tax-free income threshold and revise the fiscal year calendar.

Concluding his speech, Hamidur said the party would continue street protests until transparency and accountability were ensured and public interests were adequately addressed.

Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by Jamaat’s central publicity department, the party is scheduled to formally present its reaction to the proposed budget at a press briefing in Maghbazar, Dhaka, this morning.