Since presentation of Budget for the fiscal year 2018-19 on June07 last by Finance Minister AMA Muhit before the Jatiya Sangsad(national parliament) a lot of discussions within controversial Parliament coming to an end after five year tenure and outside took place so far amply prove it is destined to satisfy influential quarters and vote bank enable the ruling alliance return to power, dispensed with minimum socio-economic objectives for the advantage of Public, which are hardly tenable.
The budget provided Taka in crore amounted to 464,573 under expenditure heads, drawing receipts 343,331 thru VAT, NBR and non-NBR sources, import duty, supplementary duty whose incidences would be on the commoners plus tax on income and profit amounted110, 555. Thus the deficit is 121,242 would be met by loans taken from country’s banking sector and other sources plus foreign loans amounted to 50,016. It has been pleasant for neo-wealthy in various ways and burdensome in every way for middle class, lower middle class and poor. In other words it is further marginalizing the middle class making the society corruption tolerant eroding moral values and dividing the society into two classes- rich and poor. There is no moral improvement program that the big budget would reduce bribery in different levels of politico-bureaucracy, rather sufferers feel it has increased with doubling salary, privileges and so on. Over here moral program undertaken by Malaysia towards the end of 1970s and early ‘80s which was referred to in then Bangladesh may be a point of reference to start with meaningfully. What’s the roleour government in the ministry of religious affairs and its Islamic Foundation if moral values are not revived in the true spirit of religion by setting field programs and examples of corruption free management.
Appointment, promotion, transfer trade, politicization of campus and outside, sufferings in Court cases by innocent public and so on know no bounds in Bangladesh, which are kept under the cover of construction of buildings by remittances inflows while morality dwindling give no solace to the citizens who aspire good governance. But who would make the concerned authorities accountable and deliver good governance, as the controversial parliament has no meaningful opposition party and its members are in Cabinet and treasury bench, unlike neighboring India whose friendship is frequently cited!
It is said Budget fits in self-styled ideology of Left 13 partners for democratic communism who have no vote base in ruling 14-party alliance led by Awami League (AL). Is it so? Let us hope the high command of AL would react, as the voter less Left partners would induce it as they did in 1975. Now set for one party election pushing the actual main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) by any standard, including electoral results to date, outside the contest thru Ballot Box. As a matter of fact, small parties have only selfish agenda; stage a signboard sovereign show before foreigners for publicity and existence.
It provided additional expenditures under the social safety net especially to the controversial list of freedom fighters and in other heads which are distributed on partisan basis by 14-party alliance, told by concerned quarters but authorities paid no heed. Each voter less partner has share in the list that work as their workers yields no influence on voting public but used to confuse politics and election scenario, for which they ought to have been deregistered by Election Commission duly. Fielding dummy candidates, domesticated opposition,should not be allowed that started with Ershad regime and continuing despite he was toppled down by mass upsurge 1990.
What is shocking and surprising is absence of any plan for employment generation. Commoners feel as well as experts’express urgent need to redress the grievances of educated unemployed, which is a big problem. Even unemployment allowance to this disadvantaged group has not been extended. Might be out of apprehension it would expose failures of education system of this country, which was once proud of dedicated teachers producing leaders of tomorrow in all sectors.
Of late University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the guardians and admission seekers to be careful selecting one out of 101 private Universities; Government and UGC would not be held responsible for anything. In that case what for ministry of education and UGC borne in the national budget, if they cannot ensure lawful academic atmosphere and democratic pursuits in the country. Who would thentackle campus violence, session jam, question paper leakage and corruptions; ensure compliance of High Court Order for holding DUCSU election, Supreme Court verdict that MPs should not chair governing bodies of educational institutions and implementation of Honorable President’s call as Chancellor of Universities. Does it not mean Government /State is dysfunctional?
The banking sector is in precarious conditions, no stringent actions are taken against responsible persons, corrupts and no reform program is forthcoming though asked by public and experts in one voice. Instead the opportunities of Directors have increased and corporate tax reduced by2.5%. Again, woes of small investors and Stock market bypassed.
Contemporaries opine there was no point for Finance Minister Muhit to be angry upon questions of credible journalists, termed it election year budget, in post Budget press conference and claimed himself politician flanked by Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury from pro-Soviet NAP splinter joined Awami League and Information Minister Inu from JSD splinter in 14-party alliance. FM Muhit is retired bureaucrat, who served as Finance Minister of autocratic Ershad regime, known as inclined to Left, joined ALfrom Gano Forum.
As such, big Budget as usual with annual incremental effects of salaries, allowances and additional privileges to the bureaucracy and members of parliament and Projects raise no hope for public, reducing income inequality, providing guarantees against corruptions and wastages as well as free and fair election, like our neighboring countries including bordering states of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Malaysia as the current events show in this information age.
The writer is a contributor to
The Independent