As part of the government's austerity drive, the Ministry of Finance has skipped this year's traditional post-budget dinner for MPs on the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saving around Tk 50 lakh.
“The traditional post-budget dinner was cancelled this year following the Prime Minister’s directive as part of the government's austerity measures,” said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
He said the cancellation of this year's post-budget dinner saved the government approximately Tk 50 lakh.
Every year, the finance ministry hosts a dinner in the evening of the day when the national budget is passed in Parliament, attended by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, cabinet members, lawmakers, senior government officials and journalists.
Rumon said the government has also significantly reduced hospitality expenses at the Prime Minister's Office as part of its austerity drive.
He said during the tenure of the previous government, led by Sheikh Hasina, annual spending on hospitality for officials and employees of the Prime Minister's Office totalled around Tk 30-55 crore.
The additional press secretary said an additional Tk 10-12 crore was also spent in some years.
As an example, he said Tk 30,02,97,335 was spent in this purpose in the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Rumon said the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation used to supply food for officials and employees of the Prime Minister's Office.
He also said a substantial amount of bills from that period remains unpaid and the current government is clearing those dues in phases.
Since Tarique Rahman assumed office as Prime Minister, the additional press secretary said hospitality expenditure at the PMO has been sharply reduced.
“This month, hospitality expenses for officials and employees of the Prime Minister's Office amounted to Tk 1,100,069,” he said.
Rumon also said hospitality expenses for PMO officials and employees during the two Eid programmes held at the State Guest House Jamuna totalled around Tk 90 lakh.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman spent almost the entire day in Parliament on Tuesday, taking part in the passage of the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year and other legislative business.
Rumon said the Prime Minister arrived at Parliament around 9:45am and remained in the House throughout the budget proceedings.
"The Prime Minister took part in the voting on the demands for grants and other legislative business," he said.
The additional press secretary said Tarique Rahman also carried out official work and signed important files during breaks in the parliamentary proceedings.