With the national election likely at the end of the year, the government is gunning for a massive Tk 4,68,200 crore budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, predictably taking the path of ‘planning big’ to woo the voters. The planned budget would be about 17 per cent higher than ongoing ‘ambitious’ one. The government plans fall very much in line with the predictions made by experts, who say it is no surprise that the government would pursue a big budget ahead of the polls aiming to appease the bottom and mid-bottom of the economic pyramid—representing the largest vote bank. Pre-budget numbers and measures on the government chalkboard hint at an increased allocation for rural millions, a loosened grip on VAT regime…

The High Court (HC) yesterday declared illegal the Rimjhim Police Town and Italian City, which were…