Govt to consider logical demand in supplementary budget: Matia

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury today said the government would consider logical demand in the supplementary budget for the fiscal 2016-2017.

"For the sake of development of the country, we will examine the demand whether it is logical or not ... I think demand for additional allocation is justified," she said while taking part in a general discussion on the supplementary budget for 2016-17 in the House with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

The minister said and the country witnessed a tremendous success in every sector due to pragmatic steps of the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "The present government is economical . . . it made allocation for development and other sectors examining all relevant factors carefully," she said.

Highlighting development programmes and activities of the 10 ministries/divisions of the government, the minister said 27 ministries/divisions spent additional money to continue the uplift process. "The government ensured Information Technology (IT) across the country through ICT ministry to turn Bangladesh into a middle income and developed country by 2021 and 2041 respectively," she said.

Matia Chowdhury said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allocated much in the vocational and madrasa education sector to make it time befitting and bring a vast section of people in the mainstream.

She said the government established various hospitals and improved treatment facilities in the country due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's special initiatives, adding, "The government is firm to ensure overall development of the country to materialize the Vision 2021 ... we will surely become a middle- income country before 2021."

The minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina set up community clinics, specialized hospital to provide better treatment to the common people. "The government allocated Taka 45,000 crore last year for ensuring social security," she said. .

Whip Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, Ramesh Chandra Sen, Vice Principal Abdus Shahid Jatiya, Party members Selim Uddin and Nurul Islam Milon, Independent member Rustom Ali Farazi also took part in the discussion.

Source: bss