Floating people to get help in next budget
Says Muhith
The government is likely to take the issue of “urban poverty reduction” seriously in the next budget to ensure better living for city's floating people including street children and beggars.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith gave the hint after a pre-budget discussion with non-government organisation (NGO) leaders at the ministry's conference room yesterday.
He said, “We've received a proposal from the NGO leaders. I urged them to let us know what can be done for them (floating people, street children and beggars). This is, however, not an easy task.”
Muhith said the leaders emphasised on stopping school dropouts, increasing allocation for education sector, steps for doctors' presence at union levels and better healthcare facilities for marginal people.
Muhith said everybody expressed concern on the country's rising population. “We too are worried. I hope an initial picture on the size of population in the country will be available by next two months.”
The leaders emphasised on education to control population rise, he said. “Issues of health policy and loan disbursement for women came up in the discussion.”
Muhith said the leaders also expressed their concern over the misuse of measures taken by the government for ensuring social safety.
The issue of proper utilisation of land has also come up for discussion.
Earlier, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed said the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) should be increased to Tk 48 to control overflow of vehicles on city streets. “We're in a cordoned city for (benefit of) only 3 percent people.”
Prof Sayeed also demanded sufficient allocation for the cultural sector with the fund made available to the private sector to ensure its proper utilisation.
In reply, Muhith said, “We're thinking of increasing the price of CNG.”
Campaign for Popular Education Executive Director of Rasheda K Chowdhury demanded an allocation of Tk 25,000 crore for the education sector in the coming budget.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman and National Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Nasir Uddin Ahmed were also present.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments