RAJSHAHI, June 7, 2024 (BSS)- Cross-section of people here have termed the
proposed budget of 2024-2025 financial year as realistic, logical and
strategic welfare to overcome crises.

In separate reactions to the budget, teachers, political leaders, business
leaders and members of the civil society unanimously mentioned that really
the budget will be supportive towards building a smart Bangladesh.

Professor Ilias Hossain of the Department of Economics at Rajshahi University
said allocation to the priority sectors was enhanced that will be better for
the country. Besides, a target has been set to reduce inflation.

Prof Farid Uddin Khan of the same department said taxes were enhanced on some
goods, including cigarettes and air condition, which are good sides of the
budget. Proposing price reduction on medical equipment and instruments is
another good side of the budget.

Tahrima Khatun, a housewife at Upashahar area in the city, termed the budget
proposal of reducing price of essential commodities as wise and pro-people.
She hoped that the government will take stern action against syndication in
markets.

Foyzullah Chowdhury, executive director of Barendra Unnayan Prochesta, said
the budget is being judged as positive at present in the context of the
global economy.

In the budget, there are specific proposals of reducing prices of essential
commodities, including rice, pulse and spices, which is one of the vital
components of a welfare-oriented budget.

In his reaction, Masudur Rahman, president of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, termed the budget as good. He called for bringing the long-
standing issue of establishing agro-processing and fruit-processing
industries in Rajshahi under budgetary allocation.

He clarified that there are no heavy industries here and the economy of the
region is based on agriculture. Rajshahi supplies live fishes and green
vegetables to 18 districts, including the capital Dhaka, for a long time.