NCP Convenor Nahid Islam spoke at a press conference held at the party's temporary office in the capital. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, June 3, 2025 (BSS) - 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. 

“The budget largely reflects the structure of previous economic policies and does little to reduce income inequality between the rich and the poor,” he told a press conference at the party’s temporary office at Bangla motor in the capital.

Nahid said, “We had hoped the budget would offer effective measures to address the country’s growing income gap. Unfortunately, we do not see any substantial initiatives to this end.”

He pointed the government’s lack of action against tax evaders, stating that there is no clear policy in place to bring individuals and institutions avoiding taxes under the tax net. “As a result, the tax burden on lower and middle-income groups will continue,” he added.

Touching on youth unemployment, Nahid said the roots of last July’s mass uprising stemmed from widespread joblessness. 

“Young people had high expectations that this budget would offer tangible solutions to the unemployment crisis. But those hopes have been dashed. In the past year alone, the number of unemployed youths has increased by 2.6 million,” he said.

He also highlighted the government’s continued over-reliance on the banking sector, pointing out that the budget lacks forward-looking investment policies.

“We do not believe such an economic strategy will lead to meaningful job creation. There is also a lack of innovation in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and science and technology,” he said.

Criticizing the budget cut for the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare, Nahid said, “Our migrant brothers and sisters go abroad through their own efforts. The government should focus on providing them with training to enhance their employability.” 

On small and medium enterprises, he said the budget does not include supportive measures to ensure their profitability. 

NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, Senior Joint Convenor Samanta Sharmin, and other party leaders were also present at the press conference.