Don’t see implementation of expectations in proposed budget: Debapriya

The proposed budget turned out to be a budget of disappointment, commented Eminent economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya on Wednesday.

“There were many expectations in the budget. We did not see them implemented.This (budget) has turned out to be a budget of disappointment in many cases.”

The distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) made this comment while delivering his introductory speech at a discussion meeting today.

Senior Research Fellow of the CPD Towfiqul Islam Khan mentioned that Macroeconomic realities are not fully reflected in the setting benchmark and economic policy.

“Fiscal framework remains unrealistic and expected to go through a significant change as the tradition of the past regime continues, Fiscal measures lack transparency and are often not backed by evidence with the legalising black money provision remaining in place without justification,” he said.

Towfiqul Islam also mentioned that Revenue mobilisation will continue to rely on indirect taxes, disproportionately putting a burden on low-income people; the budget signals no meaningful structural shift in revenue mobilisation. Limited fiscal space will continue to haunt Bangladesh.

“ADP allocation mirrors past trends, with no major shift in priorities or project quality improvements,” he added.