Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today termed the proposed national budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 as a pro-people one, saying the government announced this budget aimed at improving the living standards of the country's people.
"The budget which does not lead to an increase in the prices of essential commodities, it is certainly a budget in favor of the people. We want to change the fate of the country's people by implementing this budget," he said.
Tarique Rahman, also the ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing a public rally organized by the local BNP at the Chakaria Municipal Bus Terminal in the district this evening.
"What have we done in this budget? We have withdrawn taxes on essential daily commodities. We withdrew the taxes previously imposed on rice, lentils, edible oil, sugar, salt, and spices so that prices do not increase," he said.
Highlighting several measures included in the proposed budget, the premier mentioned tax reductions on medicines and medical equipment related to kidney disease treatment, the removal of taxes on equipment used in heart disease treatment, and the elimination of duties on lenses used in cataract surgeries.
He said, "If a treatment that previously cost a person Taka 100,000 can now be provided at half that amount, who benefits? It is certainly the people who benefit."
Criticizing the opposition party's stance against the proposed budget, the Prime Minister said, "Those who protest tax increase on alcohol and cigarettes, do they really practice politics for the people? They do not."
"Before the election, we saw them selling various 'tickets' to the people. Didn't you see? (But) now they no longer talk about those tickets because they never had the authority to provide them. They just wanted to deceive the people, and secure votes and mislead the people. They work against the interests of the people and the country," he added.
