Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Saturday said the proposed national budget is “extravagant, dependent on foreign loans and oriented towards plunder”, warning that allocations could be misused if corruption remains unchecked.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after attending an educational workshop for members of upazila working committees at the Bhola district Jamaat office as chief guest.
Porwar said the government had failed to consider Jamaat’s proposals on increasing revenue collection, reforming the tax structure, curbing corruption, boosting investment and reducing reliance on foreign loans through strengthening domestic economic capacity.
He said no budget could ensure public welfare unless corruption within key institutions, including the administration, tax authorities, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Service Commission and the judiciary, was effectively addressed.
The Jamaat leader alleged that if corruption persists, there is a risk that budgetary allocations may be diverted to serve partisan interests instead of public welfare.
He called for revising the proposed budget to make it more people-oriented ahead of final approval.
Criticising recent increases in gas, fuel and electricity prices, Porwar said implementing a budget that adds pressure on ordinary citizens would be difficult.
He urged the government to align the budget with public expectations, warning that decisions taken contrary to public sentiment would further alienate the people from the administration.
