The national budget for 2022-23 should focus more on creating jobs and controlling inflation for the survival of the marginalised people, speakers have said at a discussion. Citizen’s Platform for SDG implementation organised the discussion titled “People’s expectations about the upcoming budget” virtually on Sunday. Representatives of different sections participated in the discussion and expressed their opinion adding greater mission and vision in line with global perspective.
Speakers at the discussion observed that the upcoming budget will be placed this year within a lot of negative dynamics both in the national and international arena. The upcoming budget should be inclusive so that every marginalised people are addressed and get a way out to go forward. The convener of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, said the upcoming budget should be an extraordinary budget this time. “Employment should be the main goal in the next budget, not GDP growth. Special importance should also be given to control inflation.” The government can extend the scope of open market sales of the TCB and increase allocation for the social safety net, they said.
An educationist, participating in the discussion, said that transgender people always live in a tight situation, as they do not get the right to live with their families. So they deserve an incentive in the budget. The government acknowledged them in 2011, but now they need specialised SME loans to start small businesses. The house owners do not allow transgender people in their space normally. So separate housing policy and action is necessary for them and the government has to allocate funds in this direction. On the other hand, the entrepreneurs should get incentive for giving jobs to the transgender people.
