Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has said there will be no austerity when it comes to budgetary allocations for the upcoming national parliamentary elections.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday (July 1) after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, he made the remarks in response to questions regarding election-related expenditures.
When asked about the allocation for the upcoming general election, the adviser said, “We will not be frugal in any way regarding the budgetary allocation made for the election.”
Regarding the decisions made in the meeting, he said, “A decision has been taken on container handling at the Chattogram Port. Approval has been given to purchase TSP and urea fertiliser. A decision has also been made on LNG import. Once the LNG arrives, we will be able to enhance fertiliser supply for farmers.”
“In addition, approval has been granted for renovating 30 schools in Rangpur,” he added.
Meanwhile, Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, responding to reporters’ queries about the gazette declaring NBR (National Board of Revenue) an essential service, said, “The gazette that you’ve seen — that is final. There was no previous gazette, nor will there be another. I issue gazettes — I’m not a decision-maker. They made the decision, and I issued the gazette.”
When asked about the progress of discussions with protesting NBR officials, he said, “Before we could even speak on whether a discussion was necessary or not, they had already withdrawn their protest. Once we understand whether they still have any demands, we will consider sitting down.”
Regarding port congestion, he said, “The port’s operations were not completely shut down. The goods that entered the port will now be shipped. The exact amount of loss hasn’t been assessed yet, but the damage is not expected to be significant.”
Hinting at the protesting officials, the Labour Adviser said, “Work doesn’t stop just because someone is absent — not in Bangladesh, not anywhere in the world.”
“Many people are absent, but has the work ever stopped?” he countered with a rhetorical question.
Brigadier (Retd.) Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministries of Shipping and Labour, said that a decision on who will be given the responsibility of managing the Chattogram Port will be made at a meeting of the Ministry of Shipping tomorrow.