Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Saturday expressed frustration over the absence of more than 40 percent of lawmakers who had enlisted to participate in the budget discussion in Parliament, saying many members failed to appear when their names were called.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad expressed his dissatisfaction after the BNP MP elected from Dhaka-2 Md. Amanullah Aman refused to deliver his speech when called on, betraying his unreadiness.
While presiding over the parliamentary sitting, the Speaker said many lawmakers had put their names on the speakers' list but failed to remain present in the chamber to deliver their speeches.
"Your name has been given in the list,” the Speaker said.
In reply, Aman said, “I did not give my name.”
The irked speaker then asked the chief whip, “I can see from the list that more than 40 percent are absent.”
“If you are not prepared, that's fine—you may speak later if necessary," the Speaker told Aman, while continuing to express his displeasure over the poor attendance.
He made the remarks after calling several lawmakers to take part in the discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The Speaker then asked whether BNP lawmaker Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, elected from Dhaka-3, was ready to speak, saying, "Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, are you prepared?"
The senior BNP lawmaker then said that he was not supposed to deliver his speech today (Saturday).
“But as you called my name, for your honour I will deliver my speech,” Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said.
The incident highlighted concerns over lawmakers' participation in one of Parliament's most significant annual debates, where MPs are expected to scrutinise and discuss the government's proposed budget before its passage.
