The proposed national budget for FY2026-27 would have needed to be at least Tk30 lakh crore to meet all the development demands made by lawmakers, BNP MP Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said on Saturday, rejecting criticism that the budget is excessively large.
Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed budget in the Jatiya Sangsad, Roy argued that Bangladesh's development ambitions require substantial public expenditure, saying the combined demands for roads, schools, colleges, hospitals and other infrastructure far exceed the size of the proposed outlay.
Throwing his support behind the proposed budget, the senior BNP lawmaker said it reflects the government's vision, but stressed that its success would ultimately depend on curbing corruption and ensuring effective implementation.
Roy said the budget had been formulated in line with the vision outlined by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
"When Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka, he said, 'I have a plan'. This budget has been framed keeping that vision in mind," he said.
Defending the proposed budget deficit, Roy said deficit financing is a normal feature of public finance and should not be viewed negatively.
"A family budget is based on income before expenditure, but a state budget determines revenue according to expenditure needs. That is the fundamental difference," he observed.
However, he identified corruption as the biggest obstacle to successful implementation of the budget and urged the government to adopt a policy of zero tolerance.
"It is not enough to say no to corruption. We need zero per cent corruption. If we can ensure even minimum tolerance against corruption, the budget can be implemented successfully," he said.
Roy also alleged that corruption in revenue collection continues to deprive the government of legitimate income, undermining the state's fiscal capacity.
Welcoming the proposed allocation for social protection and family welfare programmes, he said direct financial assistance to women and low-income households would stimulate economic activity by increasing the circulation of money.
"When this money reaches women and low-income families, it will circulate in the economy. The more money changes hands, the stronger the economy becomes," he said.
The BNP lawmaker also expressed concern over the high interest rates charged by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs), claiming borrowers often pay between 33 and 42 per cent interest, compared with much lower rates offered by banks.
He urged the finance minister to reconsider taxes on low-cost bidis, arguing that they are primarily consumed by poor agricultural workers and labourers.
Calling for planned urban development, Roy proposed establishing an administrative headquarters for Dhaka district outside the overcrowded capital to reduce pressure on the city.
He also suggested forming a high-level commission to determine the future locations of district headquarters, universities, hospitals and other public institutions as part of a long-term urban planning strategy.
Expressing concern over the spread of narcotics, Roy called for tougher action against drug trafficking, saying legislation alone would not solve the problem.
"Laws alone cannot stop drugs. It requires courage, honesty and the political will to enforce the law," he said.
He also highlighted the poor condition of a government-run drug rehabilitation centre in his constituency, saying that despite being inaugurated years ago, it lacked patients, doctors and even basic staff.
Concluding his speech, Roy called on all political parties to work together to overcome the country's challenges, saying strong democratic institutions and honest governance would be essential to achieving the objectives of the proposed FY2026-27 budget.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad presided over the parliamentary sitting.