District budget for reducing regional disparity stressed

Speakers in Rajshahi underscored formulation of district budget for ensuring balanced development across the country, reports BSS.
Development activists and members of the civil society at a discussion viewed that formulation of people’s participatory national budget is important for reflecting the aspirations of the people and their empowerment.
ActionAid, Bangladesh and District Budget Movement (DBM) jointly organised the discussion at a hotel in Rajshahi yesterday.
In the meeting, various issues, like budget decentralisation, peoples’ participation in the budget formulation process, budgetary allocation for the marginalised community and their access to the public services were discussed elaborately.
ActionAid Country Director Farah Kabir addressed the meeting as focal person elaborating the aspects of formulating district budget.
Director of Barendra Unnayan Prochesta Foyzullah Chowdhury, Editor of Daily Sonali Sangbad Liakat Ali, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, Executive Director of Sachetan Hasinul Islam and Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Silk Development Board Saiful Islam also spoke on the occasion.
During his concept paper presentation, Prof ANK Noman of Department of Economics of Rajshahi University said decentralised budgeting process could be the effective means of attaining the goal of a democratic budget.
Highlighting various aspects of the democratic budget he urged the concern authority for formulating district-wise budget from next year. This can ensure smooth development of all parts of the country. Prof Noman emphasised on identifying the local needs to include those under budgetary allocation for reducing disparity.
He called for prioritizing infrastructure development, creation of investment-friendly atmosphere and availability of business related support in the next national budget.
Liakat Ali demanded special allocations for surface water-based irrigation projects and emphasized preservation of river waters before it goes to sea and protecting Rajshahi’s agriculture from adverse impacts of climate change.

District budget for reducing regional disparity stressed

Speakers in Rajshahi underscored formulation of district budget for ensuring balanced development across the country, reports BSS. Development activists and members of the civil society at a discussion viewed that formulation of peoples participatory national budget is important for reflecting the aspirations of the people and their empowerment. ActionAid, Bangladesh and District Budget Movement (DBM) jointly organised the discussion at a hotel in Rajshahi yesterday. In the meeting, various issues, like budget decentralisation, peoples participation in the budget formulation process, budgetary allocation for the marginalised community and their access to the public services were discussed elaborately. ActionAid Country Director Farah Kabir addressed the meeting as focal person elaborating the aspects of formulating district budget. Director of Barendra Unnayan Prochesta Foyzullah Chowdhury, Editor of Daily Sonali Sangbad Liakat Ali, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, Executive Director of Sachetan Hasinul Islam and Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Silk Development Board Saiful Islam also spoke on the occasion. During his concept paper presentation, Prof ANK Noman of Department of Economics of Rajshahi University said decentralised budgeting process could be the effective means of attaining the goal of a democratic budget. Highlighting various aspects of the democratic budget he urged the concern authority for formulating district-wise budget from next year. This can ensure smooth development of all parts of the country. Prof Noman emphasised on identifying the local needs to include those under budgetary allocation for reducing disparity. He called for prioritizing infrastructure development, creation of investment-friendly atmosphere and availability of business related support in the next national budget. Liakat Ali demanded special allocations for surface water-based irrigation projects and emphasized preservation of river waters before it goes to sea and protecting Rajshahis agriculture from adverse impacts of climate change.