FY27 budget debate begins with focus on prices, taxes and welfare
General discussions on the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 began in parliament today.
During the discussion, several opposition members alleged that the proposed budget would increase pressure on ordinary people’s livelihoods.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. On the other hand, ruling party members praised the budget, saying that source tax has been reduced on the import of about 61 essential items, including rice, wheat, and potatoes, which will bring relief to the public.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the FY 2026-27 budget in parliament on June 11. Last Sunday, discussions were held on the supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which was passed on Monday. From today, discussions on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year have started.
Jamaat-e-Islami MP Abdus Sattar said that high inflation would increase market pressure. Ambitious revenue targets could lead to higher indirect taxes on ordinary people.
He criticised the provision allowing black money to be legalised. He warned that the large budget deficit would require excessive borrowing from banks, raising the cost of living. In his speech, he narrated a story involving a “needle and sieve.”
Later, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad cautioned him, saying, “We do not want any distasteful or obscene words uttered in parliament. Your speech contained some obscene words, which have been expunged.”
Opposition reserved seat MP Sajeda Samad said instability has grown in the banking sector, and customers are worried about their deposits. If this continues, people may eventually lose trust in banks.
Ruling party MP Abu Sufian said that for the first time after a budget announcement, commodity prices have not risen.
BNP MP Mominul Haque said the finance minister incorporated every aspect of BNP’s election manifesto into the budget. He highlighted that Tk 1 trillion has been allocated for education -- the first time in Bangladesh’s history.
BNP reserved seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury said the budget outlines a vision for a welfare-oriented, non-discriminatory state, with special benefits for content creators, freelancers, farmers, women, expatriate workers, and students. She praised initiatives such as daycare centres for working women, pink bus services, and women’s safety programmes, and demanded that sanitary napkins be recognised as essential items.
BNP MP Md Abdul Malik said the process of obtaining a tax identification number (TIN) should be simplified to make it easier for women and young people to open bank accounts.
BNP reserved seat MP Zeeba Amina Khan said the budget is commendable because it emphasises human resource development.
Other MPs who participated in the discussion included BNP’s Anwarul Islam, SM Jahangir Hossain, reserved seat MPs Suraiya Zerin and Mansura Alam, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abul Kawsar Mohammad Nazrul Islam, and Mukhtar Ali.
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