National Citizen Party (NCP) Shadow Budget Committee has unveiled its shadow budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, presenting 71 specific policy proposals aimed at sustainable economic reform.
Themed “Bangladesh 2.0: Sustainable Growth through Reform, Employment and Investment,” the proposals were presented during a press briefing held at Rupayan Tower on Friday afternoon.
The event featured NCP Chief Organiser (South) and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah, Shadow Budget Committee Head Dr Atik Mujahid (MP), Deputy Head Abdullah Al Faisal, Joint Member Secretary Alauddin Mohammad, and Jatiya Sramik Shakti Joint Convener Sojib Wahid.
The proposals span 12 major sectors, including macroeconomics, revenue structure, education, health, and national security.
Macroeconomic targets and revenue
NCP’s proposed budget totals Tk8,52,157 crore, reflecting a 7.87% increase (Tk 62,157 crore) over the previous fiscal year. The committee proposed limiting the budget deficit to 3.09% of GDP. Other key targets include:
- Projecting nominal GDP growth at 13% (Tk68,70,260 crore).
- Reducing inflation from 9.2% to 8% in FY2026-27, with a further goal of 6% by FY2027-28 through supply chain improvements and breaking market syndicates.
- Increasing foreign exchange reserves to $32 billion.
- Raising the revenue-to-GDP ratio to 9.32%.
To bolster revenue, NCP suggested making income tax returns mandatory for any electricity subscriber using more than 75 units per month.
It also proposed a National Digital Asset Registry (NDAR) and the integration of TIN, NID, and MFS data, which are estimated to generate Tk 20,000 crore and Tk 15,000 crore in additional revenue, respectively.
Tax reform and social justice
The shadow budget recommends raising the general tax-free income limit to Tk 4.5 lakh. Recognising higher living costs, the limit would be Tk 4.75 lakh for women and senior citizens, and Tk 5 lakh for persons with disabilities.
Other notable tax proposals include:
- Reducing corporate tax to 25%.
- A five-year legal guarantee of zero VAT on eight essential commodities.
- Reducing mobile internet tax to 30%.
- Introducing a VAT lottery scheme inspired by Taiwan.
- Including Zakat as an income tax rebate.
Education, health, and employment
The shadow budget allocates Tk 1,24,425 crore to education, including a Tk 5,000 crore “Teacher Quality Fund” and the nationalisation of private schools. The party aims to create one crore jobs within five years and increase technical education enrolment to 30%.
In health, NCP proposes a 25% budget increase and the launch of National Health Insurance (NHI). A special fund would provide 70% direct subsidies for low-income families requiring treatments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, and heart surgeries.
Energy and banking reforms
NCP proposed a “Solar Energy Sovereignty Act” to ensure 0% total tax on solar products for five years, a law that could not be repealed without a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Addressing the banking crisis, the party proposed a state-owned “Bad Bank” (Asset Management Company) with an initial capital of Tk 5,000 crore to purchase non-performing loans (NPLs). A strict “Wilful Defaulter Act” would see defaulters of over Tk 50 lakh barred from directorships, elections, and government contracts, with their passports withheld.
Governance and critique
In a statement, Hasnat Abdullah criticised the current administration for failing to uphold the reforms initiated by the interim government, specifically citing concerns over the appointment of the Bangladesh Bank Governor and the situation at Islami Bank.
He claimed the current government has “distorted” the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025.
“We do not want to see a budget that exists only in name and statistics,” Abdullah stated, pledging to ensure an equitable economy that protects the interests of both consumers and producers.
