Include average people in budgetary, dev planning

Alongside parliamentarians, participation of general people is necessary in the national budget and development planning processes, said speakers at a convention yesterday.
Development will not be possible if the opinions of regular people are not taken or implemented upon, they said.
Speakers made the comments at the inaugural of the two-day National Convention 2013 organised by District Public Policy Forum (DPPF) at a hotel in the capital.
"Development work is not the sole responsibility of the government. Members of Parliament are responsible for the welfare of the people just as they are responsible for creating new laws. The government only acts as a facilitator in this case," said Deputy Speaker of Parliament Col (retd) Showkat Ali.
Opinions of people from all walks of life, including people at grassroots level, should be taken into consideration in development planning process to ensure effective implementation, said Barrister Moudud Ahmed.
Parliamentary members and DPPF representatives participated in the convention.