DHAKA, June 02, 2025 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today unveiled the national budget allocating Tk. 42,433 crore for the local government and rural development (LGRD) for fiscal year 2025-2026 (FY26).

"A strong, effective and corruption-free local government system is essential to ensure benefits of welfare-oriented activities to common people across the country," he said in his budget speech aired by Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar.

Ahmed said the government has been implementing various short and long-term programmes to ensure road infrastructure, safe water supply, drainage system, modern sewerage and primary waste management in different cities to develop a modern urban system.

He said many services like development of transport system, birth and death registration, primary health services, environment development, drinking water were being provided to people under the local government system. 

Besides, services provided by city corporations and municipalities are being brought under online-based automation in phases, the adviser added. 

He said opinions are being taken about the overall action plan of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) by organizing quarterly stakeholder consultations in every district engaging students and people to increase transparency and accountability in the local government institutions.

The FY25 targeted to strengthen rural communication infrastructure, along with construction of 5,400 km new roads, 21,500 metres of bridges/culverts, 55 cyclone shelters and development of 104 markets and growth centres, he mentioned.

The FY25 also targeted for maintenance of 8,750 km pucca roads, 20,000 metres of bridges/culverts and construction/expansion of 35 upazila complex buildings, he said. 

Besides, the finance adviser said, initiatives were taken to produce electricity/fuel and bio-fertilizer through proper management of the waste produced in 12 city corporations and 329 municipalities of the country.

He said work plans are being implemented to construct safe water sources in rural areas, supply water through pipelines, establish water treatment plants and for construction/maintenance of community/sanitary latrines throughout the country.

The local government division's main target is reducing use of ground water and increasing use of surface water and ensuring hygienic sanitation system at every house, he added.