Budget draws mixed reactions

Leaders of different political, social and professional organisations yesterday expressed mixed reactions to the national budget announced on Thursday.
In a statement, Comrade Khalekuzzaman, president of the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), said the budget will accelerate discrimination between the rich and poor and expand corruption because of weakness in administration and unaccountability of the people's representatives.
There was no reflection of taking initiative to develop the lifestyle of working-class people and expand market, he said.
The BSD chief strongly criticised the government for reducing agriculture subsidies.
Leaders of the Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) said the budget would stand against people's interest because of reducing subsidies for the agriculture sector and increasing expenditure on defence sector.
Meanwhile, President of the Jatiya Kar Ainjibi Samity Barrister Akmal Hossain greeted the government, and said if the budget is implemented, the country's development will be accelerated.
Cultural organisation Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote brought out a procession and held a rally in the city to express greetings to the prime minister and the finance minister for announcing a “people-oriented” budget.
Addressing the rally, the jote leaders said the budget would play a vital role in reducing poverty and flourishing industry of the country.