Take measures to realise bad loans

Strong measures have to be taken to realise defaulted loans and control scope for whitening black money and siphoning off those abroad, demanded lawmakers yesterday.

While taking part in a general discussion on the proposed budget at the parliament, they urged the government to make Bangladesh Bank officials accountable for the heist in the central bank and widening the tax net.

Members of parliament on opening day of the discussion also urged the government to recognise the contribution of women’s unpaid work to the economy and take concrete steps to include it in the national GDP estimation.

Workers Party of Bangladesh MP Lutfun Nesa Khan said it is high time to recognise women’s unpaid work. “Increase stipend amount for female students to reduce their dropout rate,” she said, adding that allocation for research in higher education was not sufficient.

She alleged that the government-run drug rehabilitation centres were in a bad shape while the private ones are too expensive. She proposed tax rebate for the private centres.

Awami League MP Professor Ali Ashraf said no [Bangladesh Bank] official was made accountable for the heist. “They [BB] should address the matter,” he added.

Stringent provisions have to be implemented while giving loans, he said. “They are willful loan defaulters, not accidental. None should get discount while siphoning off money aboard.”

The administration and Bangladesh Bank should monitor the issue strongly, he stressed.

Another ruling party lawmaker Md Shifuzzaman Shekhur demanded increase in budgetary allocation to ensure public security.

Awami League MP Habibe Millat urged the education ministry to consult with local lawmakers before finalising the list of educational institutions for MPO inclusion.

He demanded incentives for the agriculture, health and education sectors.

BNP lawmaker Mosharof Hosen demanded enough time to talk at parliament. “Whenever we get the floor, they raise a hue and cry,” he said. All ruling party MPs hailed the proposed budget and censured the critics.