A new example was set up in the Jatiyo Sangsad(JS) history while placing the budget of 2019-20 fiscal on Thursday(june13). Generally the finance Minister placed the budget of( statement of income-expenditure) of the country. Never in Bangladesh’s history no other person placed the budget in the parliament before other than the Finance Minister.
But this time due to sickness of Finance Minister AHM Mostofa Kamal the major portion of the next budget was placed by the Prime Minister and leader of the House Sheikh Hasina herself.
In the parliamentary history such example is first in presenting the budget. On Thursday afternoon the Prime Minister presented the last major part of the budget from 4-10 P.M. to 4-40 P.M. totaling half an hour. At this time the MPs of both the benches congratulated the Prime Minister by clapping on the tables. However the Finance Minister AHM Mostofa Kamal coming directly from the hospital placed the budget for an hour but he again fell sick.
The session began at 3 P.M. chaired by speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Choedhury. She was attired with yellow shari. In connection with budget presentation the Sangsad Bhavan was full to the beam. At 3-25 P.M. AHM Mostofa Kamal started presenting his life’s first budget in a completely digital method. The budget of Taka five lakh 23 thousand 190 crore with the heading of “ Bangladesh on the road of prosperity, time is now ours”.
But due to sickness he was not able the place the budget properly. From the side, the Prime Minister and the former Agriculture Minister Matia Chwodhury were helping him the Finance Minister. But at 4 O’clock he fell sick gravely. He sought few minuites time from the speaker for giving drops in his eyes. At that time some physicians examined his health condition. But despite giving drops in his eyes AHM Mostofa Kamal requested the Prime Minister to present the rest part of the budget.
That brought changes in the whole scenario of the session. Both the government and opposition members supported the proposal by clapping tables. The Prime Minister standing on the floor sought the permission of the speaker to place the rest part of the proposed budget. Speaker granting permission said that you can present the budget either sitting or standing position.
Taking the floor the Prime Minister said that both me and the Finance Minister are sick but if you permit me then I can present the rest part of the budget.
After the budget speech by the Prime Minister the cabinet members and the JS members came to the Prime Minister and congratulated her. After the presentation the speaker said that the unread part of the budget will be treated as read.
Festive atmosphere: Festive atmosphere prevailed in the JS in connection with budget presentation. There was no negation from the opposition this time. For the first time in country’s history in the presence of both government and opposition members the 48th budget was presented in the JS. To observe the budget session directly the VVIP, VIP and audience galleries were full to the beam.
Before budget session began the draft budget was approved in the cabinet meeting held in the Prime Minister’s chamber in the JS. Then it was counter signed by the Honorable President Advocate Abdul Hamid seeking permission in JS.
In the beginning of the budget session the Finance Minister presented a short documentary film which contained the picture of disparity during Pakistan regime, the role of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to bring independence, liberation war of nine months, sacrifices of the freedom fighters and finally the progress and development of Bangladesh achieved under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina during last ten years.
The President of the republic Advocate Abdul Hamid observed the session from his own chamber in the JS. The VVIPs included former Finance Minister AMA Muhit, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Defense Adviser General(Rtd) Tareque Siddiky, Foreign Affairs adviser Dr. Gawhar Rizvi, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Dr. Towfiq -e- Ilahi Chowdhury BB, CEC KM Nurul Huda, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Prime Minister’s principal secretary Md. Nazibur Rahman, Prime Minsiter’s daughter Saima Wazed Putul, diplomats, military and high civil officials observed the budget speech.
After the budget speech by the Prime Minister was over the Finance Minister placed the finance bill -2019. According to the decision of the working committee the finance bill would get nod on June 30. Before getting nod the government and opposition members will discuss on the proposed budget for 45 hours.