Budgetary allocation alone not enough
Say development activists
Budgetary allocation alone can not achieve the country's desired development as the allocation sectors and final outcomes need evaluation too, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.
There is no scope for parliamentary discussions or criticisms on development planning and environment protection of the budget proposal FY 2012-13 as the prime minister already praised and defended those, said Prof Anu Mohammad.
The roundtable, “Budget Thoughts: Environment and Living”, was organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) and Jonoudyog and facilitated by Institute of Environment and Development (IED) in the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
“Responsibility lies on those who reside and depend on this country for their future to be aware and active in environment friendly development policies,” said Prof Anu, member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports.
He criticised the government for not conducting any survey before signing the recent agreement with National Thermal Power Corporation of India over the construction of a 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant on a 1,800-acre land at Rampal in Bagerhat.
This power plant will seriously put the adjoining mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, under threat, he said.
Poba Chairman Abu Naser Khan, in a keynote, came up with a 25-point proposal for inclusion in the budget so that the country's development activities incorporate environment protection.
Workers' Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Anisur Rahman Mollick, IED Executive Director Numan Ahmed Khan, Communist Party of Bangladesh President Manzurul Ahsan Khan, Jonoudyag Jatiya Committee Convener Prof HK Arefin and Poba Joint General Secretary Monoar Hossain also spoke at the discussion.
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