The National Citizens Party (NCP) has criticised the proposed budget for lacking real solution.
NCP convener Nahid Islam said that the interim government had failed to take proper actions to reduce social discrimination.
“Although the government has identified the existing problems, there is no real solution for the desired economic transformation reflected in the proposed budget, he said Tuesday.
Nahid further noted that the structure of the economy, shaped by the previous regime, remained unchanged, preventing meaningful transformation.
Addressing a press conference at the NCP central office in the capital, he said that the proposed budget did not offer any relief for the middle class, and that the solutions suggested in the budget were not realistic.
“Proper measures have not been taken to reduce the income gap between the rich and the poor,” he said. Referring to tax evasion, he added that there was no significant change in the approach to bringing tax evaders—both individuals and institutions—under the taxation system.
Nahid also remarked that the burden on the lower and middle classes would remain the same under the new budget.
“The July movement started from unemployed youths demanding jobs based on their merits,” he said, adding that no visible steps were taken in the budget to address unemployment.
The NCP also criticised the government for not allocating sufficient funds to the education and health sectors.
Nahid further said that the budget allocation for the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare should not have been reduced.
He pointed out that there was no initiative in the budget to support the development of small and medium enterprises.
“On the contrary, taxes on e-commerce transactions were raised, which would impact the digital economy negatively,” he said.
Nahid Islam also criticised the provision allowing black money to be turned into white through the budget.
However, he welcomed the allocation for those wounded in the July mass uprising, while urging proper monitoring to ensure the funds are used appropriately.
Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the NCP, among others, was present at the press conference.
This is the first budget of the interim government and the 54th national budget of the country.