Balanced budget to tackle economic fallout from Covid-19, says Quader

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-21 is a balanced one made to help the country's economy recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was prepared in a different reality and context, Quader said during a post-budget briefing conducted via video conference.

He also said this budget is the result of a time-befitting and brave step from the Sheikh Hasina government to take the country ahead by maintaining a balance between lives and livelihood.

Different countries in the world are researching to come up with a vaccine for Covid-19 and as soon as it is prepared, it will be brought to the country, Quader said. He also added that a plan was included in the budget proposal in this regard.

Social safety has been considered as the third priority sector in the budget to ease sufferings of working people affected by lockdown, he added.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday proposed the national budget of Tk 568,000 crore for the 2020-21 fiscal year in parliament.