Dhaka: Convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has expressed disappointment over the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, saying it falls short of the aspiration to build a more equitable society.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nahid Islam stated at a press conference held at the party’s temporary office at Bangla motor in the capital that the budget largely mirrors previous economic policies and does little to address income inequality. He emphasized that the budget lacks effective measures to tackle the growing income gap in the country.
Nahid criticized the government’s inaction against tax evaders, highlighting the absence of clear policies to bring individuals and institutions avoiding taxes under the tax net. He warned that this would continue to place the tax burden on lower and middle-income groups.
Addressing the issue of youth unemployment, Nahid noted that the mass uprising last July was fueled by widespread joblessness. He lamented that the budget fails to offer concrete solutions to the unemployment crisis, especially when the number of unemployed youths has surged by 2.6 million in the past year.
He also pointed out the government’s over-reliance on the banking sector and the budget’s lack of forward-looking investment policies, which he argued would not facilitate meaningful job creation. Nahid further criticized the absence of innovation in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and science and technology.
Nahid expressed concern over the budget cuts for the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare, arguing that the government should focus on providing training to enhance the employability of migrant workers. He also noted the lack of supportive measures for small and medium enterprises in the budget.
The press conference was attended by NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, Senior Joint Convenor Samanta Sharmin, and other party leaders.