Govt looking for options instead of boosting capacity: Anu Muhammad

Economist Anu Muhammad at a discussion on Friday said the government is searching for alternatives instead of focusing on increasing the country’s ability to produce more in different sectors.
Even though Bangladesh has many resources, the real problem is the lack of ability to manage them properly, which is the reason for reliance on foreign investments for things like satellites and ports, he explained.
The discussion styled ‘Bangladesh after the Mass Uprising: What kind of budget do we want?’ was hosted by Democratic Rights Committee at the National Press Club.
Anu Muhammad emphasised that citizens need to have more control over national resources, suggesting that the government go for training people in various fields.
“The government in the past nine months has failed to focus on improving technology, innovation, administrative skills, and education and research sectors.”
The economist also suggested that the government reduce taxes on eco-friendly solar energy projects `and increase taxes on coal and nuclear power plants.
He criticised the involvement of multinational companies in Bangladesh’s gas, mineral and power sectors. “Development should be done through our own plans, not through foreign loans or conditional development.”
Anu Muhammad also said that the budget should be increased for education, health, culture and energy sectors.
In addition, he called for better monitoring of how the budget is spent to ensure it is used for right purposes.
At the event, speakers said past governments did not pay enough attention to the agriculture sector when preparing the national budget.
They claimed previous governments focused more on their own political interests rather than feeding people’s needs.
Researcher and activist Maha Mirza pointed out that only 4 percent of the total budget goes to agriculture and livestock, even though the sector provides about 40 percent of total employment.
She said the cost of farming has been rising due to higher prices for essential items like fertiliser, seed and diesel, causing farmers to suffer losses and fail to repay loans.
Maha suggested that the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation increase its supply of seeds. “Farmers are not able to survive by producing crops.”
The speakers further said that previous governments misused religion and the liberation war to get mired in corruption.
The speakers said the education sector was particularly hurt during the Awami League regime.
About taxes and social security, writer and researcher Kallol Mustafa said, “The taxation system here is unfair. The rich and the poor are being taxed the same way.”