SANGSAD BHABAN, June 28, (V7N) — Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmaker Gayeshwar Chandra Roy today strongly backed the proposed national budget for FY27, saying it reflects the government’s vision while stressing that its success would depend on curbing corruption and ensuring effective implementation.

Participating in the general discussion on the proposed budget in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS), Roy said the budget had been prepared in line with the vision outlined by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

"When our party chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka, he said, 'I have a plan'. This budget has been framed keeping that vision in mind," he said.

Rejecting criticism that the proposed budget is too large, the ruling party senior lawmaker argued that the country's development aspirations require substantial public expenditure.

"Some say the budget is too big. But, if all the development demands made by MPs for roads, schools, colleges, hospitals and other infrastructure were added together, the budget would have needed to be at least Taka 30 lakh crore," he said.

Roy also defended the budget deficit, saying deficit financing is a normal feature of state budgets.

"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.

The BNP lawmaker 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 percent corruption. If we can ensure even minimum tolerance against corruption, the budget can be implemented successfully," he said.

Gayeshwar Chandra alleged that corruption in revenue collection continues to deprive the government of legitimate income.

Addressing the proposed social protection measures, he welcomed the allocation for family support and welfare programmes, saying direct financial assistance would stimulate economic activity.

Roy said money circulated among ordinary people generates greater economic benefits than idle funds.

"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.

Roy also drew attention to high interest rates charged by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs), claiming that borrowers often pay between 33 and 42 percent interest, compared with much lower rates in the banking sector.

The treasury bench member requested the finance minister to reconsider taxes on low-cost bidis, arguing that poor agricultural workers and labourers are the primary consumers.

Raising concerns over urban planning, Roy urged the government to establish a planned administrative headquarters for Dhaka district outside the congested capital.

He proposed forming a high-level commission to determine the future location of district headquarters, universities, hospitals and other public institutions to support planned urbanisation and reduce pressure on Dhaka city.

Expressing grave concern over drug trafficking, Roy called for stronger enforcement against narcotics smuggling.

"Laws alone cannot stop drugs. It requires courage, honesty and the political will to enforce the law," he said.

He also mentioned the poor condition of a government drug treatment facility in his constituency, saying it lacked patients, doctors and even basic staff despite having been inaugurated years ago.

Concluding his speech, Roy urged all political parties to work together to overcome challenges, saying democratic institutions and honest governance would be essential to achieving the objectives of the proposed FY27 budget.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir-Bikram, presided over the session.

END/AJ/RH