More allocation for public sectors demanded

Several rights groups yesterday demanded that the government increase allocation for education, health and public service sectors before expanding the tax network. They also urged the authorities to stop illicit capital flight and corruption. The demands were made by 29 organisations at a programme titled, ‘World Public Services Day: Increase Allocation to Public Services and Stop Illicit Capital Flight and Corruption before spreading the Tax Net’, held at the National Press Club in the capital on the eve of World Public Services Day.
A keynote paper stated that allocation for education in the 2015-16 national budget is just 13.7 per cent, which is only 2pc of the total GDP, while UNESCO recommends it should be at least 6pc. Although WHO suggests 5pc of GDP should be spent on health, the new budget earmarks only 0.73pc of GDP on the important sector, it added.
Abul Hossain of Trade Union Centre said the government’s ‘Vision 2021’ cannot be ensured without giving proper attention to health and education sectors.  
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of equityBD said usually the poor bear the burden of indirect taxes, and the new budget projects 63.2pc of revenue earning from indirect taxes, including 10.6pc from import tax and 36pc from VAT.
 “We want to pay taxes, but in response to it, services must be ensured,” said Mihir Biswas of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon. Lovely Yasmin of Readymade Garment Workers’ Federation said there 80 per cent of the country’s 4.4 million textile workers are women.  “We have been demanding accommodation and rations for garment workers. These demands are yet to be fulfilled,” Yasmin said. Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnyan Dhara said the government should find out how much money is being smuggled out illegally.
The organisers also said administrative expenditures should be minimised, corruption must be controlled, illicit capital flight must be stopped, special monitoring should be imposed on mobile banking and poverty reducing sectors such as education and health should get special attention.
The programme was jointly organised by Online Knowledge Society, BILS, equityBD, Udayan Bangladesh, Unnyayan Dhara, ADB International, CLEAN, Jatiyo Sramik Jote, Trade Union Centre, Readymade Garment Workers’ Federation, Banchte Shekha Nari, Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Bangladesh Bhumihin Samity, Bangladesh Sramik Federation, Development Synergy Institute, Trade Union Centre, Awaz, Jana Oddyan Kendro and Mehenoti Garments Sramik Federation.

 

 

More allocation for public sectors demanded

Several rights groups yesterday demanded that the government increase allocation for education, health and public service sectors before expanding the tax network. They also urged the authorities to stop illicit capital flight and corruption. The demands were made by 29 organisations at a programme titled, World Public Services Day: Increase Allocation to Public Services and Stop Illicit Capital Flight and Corruption before spreading the Tax Net, held at the National Press Club in the capital on the eve of World Public Services Day. A keynote paper stated that allocation for education in the 2015-16 national budget is just 13.7 per cent, which is only 2pc of the total GDP, while UNESCO recommends it should be at least 6pc. Although WHO suggests 5pc of GDP should be spent on health, the new budget earmarks only 0.73pc of GDP on the important sector, it added. Abul Hossain of Trade Union Centre said the governments Vision 2021 cannot be ensured without giving proper attention to health and education sectors. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of equityBD said usually the poor bear the burden of indirect taxes, and the new budget projects 63.2pc of revenue earning from indirect taxes, including 10.6pc from import tax and 36pc from VAT. We want to pay taxes, but in response to it, services must be ensured, said Mihir Biswas of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon. Lovely Yasmin of Readymade Garment Workers Federation said there 80 per cent of the countrys 4.4 million textile workers are women. We have been demanding accommodation and rations for garment workers. These demands are yet to be fulfilled, Yasmin said. Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnyan Dhara said the government should find out how much money is being smuggled out illegally. The organisers also said administrative expenditures should be minimised, corruption must be controlled, illicit capital flight must be stopped, special monitoring should be imposed on mobile banking and poverty reducing sectors such as education and health should get special attention. The programme was jointly organised by Online Knowledge Society, BILS, equityBD, Udayan Bangladesh, Unnyayan Dhara, ADB International, CLEAN, Jatiyo Sramik Jote, Trade Union Centre, Readymade Garment Workers Federation, Banchte Shekha Nari, Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Bangladesh Bhumihin Samity, Bangladesh Sramik Federation, Development Synergy Institute, Trade Union Centre, Awaz, Jana Oddyan Kendro and Mehenoti Garments Sramik Federation.