SANGSAD BHABAN, June 25, 2026 (BSS) - Lawmakers today said the proposed budget has been placed to improve the livelihood of the people and to lay the foundation for sustainable development in the country. 

Taking part in the general discussion on the national budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 at the Jatiya Sangsad here, they said the budget would play an important role in promoting sustainable development and public welfare.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on June 11 unveiled a Taka 9.38 trillion national budget setting the GDP growth target at 6.5 percent aiming to rebound from the provisional 4.14 percent growth recorded in the outgoing fiscal year.

The proposed budget reflects the welfare and fundamental rights of the people in line with the 31-point state reform programmes designed by the ruling BNP, said BNP lawmaker Anisur Rahman from Madaripur-3. 

BNP lawmaker Naser Rahman from Moulvibazar-3 said under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the major portion of the proposed budget will be spent on the welfare of the people.

The budget is supportive of investment growth, employment, social safety and energy security, he said, adding that the budget has increased energy subsidy by 22 percent compared to the previous budget. 

Praising the budget, ruling party lawmaker Humam Quader Chowdhury from Chattogram-7 said the country had lacked an effective social safety net over the past 20 years and the current government has introduced a family-card-based social safety programme through budgetary allocations. 

The proposed budget will serve as the backbone of the country's development efforts over the next five years, said the lawmaker. 

Investment has received the highest priority in the proposed budget. The foreign and local investors will be encouraged to invest in the country by taking advantage of tax rebates, he added. 

BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan from Khagrachari-298 said the proposed budget is a roadmap for building a self-reliant Bangladesh based on the aspirations of the people.

BNP lawmaker Mohammad Akteruzzaman from Mymensingh-10 said, "We don't want to erase the spirit of independence with the July revolution. We stand firmly for the spirit of July. But some people are showing a tendency to sell that spirit."

"The spirit of July is not something to be sold. Many people who used to travel by rickshaw now ride Prado, SUVs, and they have sold the spirit of July," he added. 

The budget will be successful when the ruling party and opposition work together as one-third of the budget allocation has been earmarked for education, healthcare services and social safety, said BNP lawmaker Sayeed Al Noman from Chattogram-10.

In FY 2023-24, the country's budget deficit was 4.7 percent while in FY 2026-27, it stands at 3.6 percent of GDP, said BNP lawmaker Monjurul Islam from Dinajpur-1.

Another opposition lawmaker Akhter Hossen from Rangpur-4 said the proposed budget has imposed 48 percent income tax which would affect the livelihood of middle-income people.

Reza Kibria, the ruling party MP from Habiganj-1, said the government should work to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, alleging that the previous fascist government had taken no steps in this regard. 

Opposition lawmaker Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem from Dhaka-14 said that 82 percent of the country's young people are considering settling abroad permanently. He emphasized the need to place the highest priority on safeguarding national interests.

Mostafizur Rahman, the ruling party MP from Naogaon-1, stated that the opposition could label the budget 'anti-beggar' rather than 'anti-poor,' because its implementation would lead to a reduction in begging across the country. 

Treasury bench lawmakers Morshed Milton from Bogura-7, Mohammad Zakir Hossain from Mymensingh-5, Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman from Mymensingh-7, Harun-or Rashid from Rajbari-2, Fakhar Uddin Ahmed from Mymensingh-11, Joynal Abdin from Feni-2, Hafiz Ibrahim from Bhola-2, Nayab Yusuf Ahmed from Faridpur-3, Abul Kalam from Cumilla-9, Abul Kalam from Narayanganj-5, Moinul Islam Khan from Manikganj-2, SM Rafiqul Islam from Gazipur-3, Advocate M Jalal Uddin from Kishoreganj-2, M Ali Asgar from Khulna-5, SK Md Rejaul Islam from Naogaon-6, Fazlur Rahman from Kishoreganj-4, Opposition lawmakers Md Abdul Baten from Dhaka-16, Mohammad Zahirul Islam from Chattogram-16, Kamal Kamal Hossen from Dhaka-5, National Citizens Party (NCP) lawmaker Md Abul Hasnat (Hasnat Abdullah) from Cumilla-4, GM Nazrul Islam from Satkhira-4, Nurul Islam from Chapainawabganj-3, Independent lawmaker SK Mozibur Rahman Iqbal from Kishoreganj-5, also took part in the budget discussion.