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Budget evokes mixed reactions in Ctg

. BSS, Chittagong
Economists, entrepreneurs and leaders of different political parties here expressed mixed reactions over the just announced proposed budget for the fiscal 2012-2013 terming it as pragmatic and based on demands of the situation.
The eminent citizens and political leaders think that there was nothing wrong to set a high target and 'ambitious one'. In an instant reaction to BSS they however stressed on implementation of the proposed budget with utmost efficiency and sincerity.
Some professionals also thanked the finance minister for giving emphasis on environmental management and increased food stock in the budget.
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CCCI) Murshed Murad Ibrahim termed the just announced budget for fiscal 2012-2013 as a business and investment friendly one.
"There are a lot of new programmes to cope up with current tougher economic situation", he added.
He thanked the finance minister for accepting the proposal of CCCI to expand SME programme and stressed on human resource development. "Moreover, the allocation in power, IT, education, health, food security, environment and human resource sectors have been made properly", he added.
Economist Dr Mainul Islam said the allocation for education sector has been reduced in the proposed budget, so it is not education friendly budget. He said each country in the world increases the allocation for education but Bangladesh reduced its allocation for education in it's annual budget.
He demanded to allocate 3 percent of total GDP for the education.
City BNP general secretary Dr Sahadat Hossain termed the budget as bank credit dependent, highly ambitious political budget which would create problems for businessmen and private sectors.
He said the target of collecting revenue is not wise and the proposed budget did not clarify how to control the upward food grains price.
Hailing the proposed budget of grand alliance government, Chittagong city
General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) Enamul Hoque Danu said the pro-people budget would play a significant role to boost up the economy, poverty alleviation, improvement of quality education, empowerment of women for turning into a Digital Bangladesh which was the pre election pledge declared by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Dean of Social Science faculty and President of Economics department of Chittagong University, Dr Jotty Prokash Dotto in his reaction termed the budget for the fiscal 2012 -2013 as " pro-people and welfare oriented" .He suggested the government to eliminate the corruption otherwise all development plan of the government would be in vain.
He appreciated highly the subsidies and incentives proposed in the budget against social safety net, food security, but expressed his doubt about rise in real purchasing capacity of needy people due to inadequate allocation for social safety net in comparison to high price inflation.