Budget deficit in India, UK, US is more than Bangladesh: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (June 4) said the deficit of the proposed budget for 2023-24 fiscal year is to be 5.2 per cent of GDP, while the deficit in India is 5.9 per cent, in the USA 6 per cent and in the UK 5.5 per cent.

"I would like to draw the attention of the professional critics, who claim that they do much research and highlight the 5.2 per cent deficit in our country's proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The deficit is 5.9 per cent of GDP in India, 6 per cent in the US and 5.5 per cent in the UK," he said.

This means, he said, that the budget deficit of India, the UK and the US is more than Bangladesh. Not only that, more than 100 countries across the globe have budget deficits, he added.

The minister said these while exchanging views with reporters on contemporary issues at the conference room of his ministry at the Secretariat in the capital, Dhaka.

Hasan said the political critics gave their statements without reading the budget copy. In fact, the proposed budget is poor-friendly and pro-people as it proposes increasing the number of direct beneficiaries of government allowances and the amount of allowance, while 20 million people will get various assistance, including money from the government directly, he added.

"All are poor and will get the allowances. So it is not a pro-poor budget?" said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

Replying to a query over a comment of the premier on the visa policy of the US, the minister said the premier said this to reduce tension for those who are anxious after the announcement of the US visa policy. "The relations with the USA are fantastic, and we want the relationship to be closer. For this, you all see that the government has taken many positive decisions, including in foreign affairs," he added.

"At the same time, we also want to increase business with other countries and continents such as South America, the Middle East, ASEAN countries in the Far East, and the areas of great potential for trade in the Oceania region. And the Prime Minister has said these things," said Hasan.

Responding to another query over the tax issue, the minister said it is not right that paying this tax is compulsory. Those who have a TIN (Tax Identification Number) certificate but do not pay tax have been asked to file a tax return by paying a fee of Tk 2,000, he added.

Criticising a statement of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the minister said Azrael and Satan (evil) have been chasing them. "I would like to tell Mirza Fakhrul that there is no benefit to making such statements for self-complacency. Your caretaker government demand died on the field, and there is no support for such a government from anywhere in the world. So, take preparation to participate in the next elections," he said.

Replying to another query over a list being made by the BNP, the minister said they are also making lists of those who carried out arson attacks, vandalised vehicles, and resisted the votes.