Muhith worried over population boom

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday expressed concern over the rising population in the country and felt for stepping up family planning programme to control the population and reduce the pressure on food production.
He said high quantum of food production and import indicates that the population has increased. “The family planning issue is very essential. Special responsibility can be given to women MPs in this regard.”
The finance minister made the remarks at a seminar on 'State of the Bangladesh Economy FY11 and Challenges Ahead' at Hotel Sheraton organised by Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
Senior research fellow of the BIDS Dr Nazneen Ahmed presented keynote paper at the seminar.
Expressing concern over the price hike of essentials Muhith said, “To control the price of essentials is not an easy job, I feel it now. But we have to limit our target. Initiatives will have to be taken to provide for rice, flour, sugar and edible oil at fair-price.”
He agreed with the challenges ahead identified by the BIDS that include inflation, balance of payment and exchange rate, infrastructure and qualitative implementation of ADP implementation.
Responding to questions raised by the MPs present, Muhith said the government wants consultations for formulation of the budget, and the door of the finance minister would always remain open for receiving any recommendation. “It's not my own budget. It's the outcome of the thoughts of many people.”
On recently held census, Muhith said the population would increase to a large extent. “But, there was a problem that the data collectors were not well-trained.”
Presenting the paper, Dr Nazneen Ahmed said inflation, especially food inflation continues to be a big challenge for the government and rising price of rice is a puzzle in the backdrop of good harvest.
She suggested imports in right time from right sources and qualitative and quantitative procurement by the government.
Nazneen said the national budget is an important planning document of the government and members of parliament have crucial roles to play in budget formulation and correcting anomalies to ensure a good and implementable budget.
She pointed out that Bangladesh Bank policy on inflation and management of money supply is contradictory. “They are increasing reserve money supply while increasing the reserve ratio.” This will discourage investment and increase import cost, she observed.
BIDS Director General Dr MK Mujeri presided over the seminar while parliament members including Awami League leader Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir were present.