In the wake of criticisms in Parliament for not having the disclosure of breakdown in defence budget, Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Monday assured that there will be elaborate statements on sector-wise allocation for the Defence Ministry from the next budget.
The Finance Minister made the assurance in Parliament wrapping up general discussions on the supplementary budget for fiscal 2013-2014.
Muhith said it is an important question that the allocation for the Defence Ministry is not largely discussed. “It’s become a tradition due to illegal grabbing of power at different times.”
“There will be statements in details on the budgetary allocation for the Defence Ministry in the future,” the Finance Minister said.
Earlier, JSD MP Moinuddin Khan Badal, taking part in discussions on the supplementary budget, demanded explanation for allocating Tk 16,462 crore for the Defence Ministry in the proposed budget of 2014-2015 fiscal year.
“It’s become a taboo not to explain where and how the budgetary allocation for the Defence Ministry will be spent on….this has become a long-time practice. It needs to be stopped. It should be opened to people,” he told Parliament.
Taking part in general discussion on supplementary budget, Badal said around Tk 2.2 billion allocated for the Defence Ministry, which is around 6.6 percent of the total budget without any explanation as to where this money will be spent on.
“We want our defence to be strengthened. But the Finance Minister must explain how and where the allocated public money will be spent on,” he said.
Four ministers, including Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, and six MPs, including Moin Uddin Khan Badal, Kazi Firoze Rashid, Fakhrul Imam, participated in the general discussion on the supplementary budget.
Referring to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s remark that BNP is ready for holding talks with the government, Shajahan Khan told the House that the government is also willing to hold dialogue with BNP for an inclusive national election.
“We’re not against the dialogue. You (Khaleda) Abandon Jamaat first, then we can consider it (for holding the dialogue),” he added.
On Sunday night, Khaleda Zia at a meeting with an EU delegation said her party is ready to sit with the government anytime to reach a consensus for holding an inclusive fresh national election.
Source: UNB Connect
