COXS BAZAR, June 13: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Saturday that the Opposition’s rejection of the proposed budget shows that it does not support tax cuts or higher duties on alcohol and cigarettes.
He accused the Opposition of rejecting the proposed national budget for FY2026�"27 not out of concern for public welfare, but with the intention of creating instability and misleading the people.
Speaking at a brief gathering after inaugurating the re-excavation work of the historic Patali Canal in Pekua Union under Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, the Prime Minister said the government’s budget was designed to ease the burden on ordinary citizens and support economic growth.
Referring to media reports published after the budget announcement, Tarique said, “I saw in the newspapers, Alhamdulillah that so far no commodity prices have increased following the budget, unlike in the past.”
Tarique Rahman said the proposed budget has removed taxes on around 60 essential commodities, including rice, lentils, edible oil and salt, to ensure that prices of daily necessities do not increase.
He said the government’s intention behind the measure was straightforward. “The objective is simple: to ensure that people can live well,” he said.
The Prime Minister questioned the Opposition’s criticism of the budget, arguing that it was opposing initiatives aimed at providing relief to consumers.
“The Opposition says it does not accept this budget and calls it anti-people. I want to ask you a question. They do not accept a budget that reduces taxes. They do not like a budget that increases the prices of alcohol and cigarettes. Then have you understood what their real intention is?” he said.
He alleged that the Opposition was not acting in the interests of the people.
“Their objective is not to stand beside the people of the country. Their only goal is to create instability and unrest in the country and mislead people,” he added.
Highlighting the government’s economic priorities, Tarique said Bangladesh must continue to develop industry and trade while maintaining its agricultural base.
"Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. But at the same time, we must build industries and expand trade. If industries and businesses grow, employment opportunities will be created for our young people. They will be able to find jobs and engage in business activities," he said.
The Prime Minister also defended the decision to increase taxes on imported products that compete with locally manufactured goods.
He said the move was aimed at protecting domestic industries and supporting local manufacturers.
"We have raised taxes on imported products that are also produced locally so that our domestic industries and manufacturers can receive support. We have included such measures in this budget. Yet even this is not acceptable to the Opposition," he said.
Tarique further said that the country belongs to its people rather than any political party or family.
"I want to say that you are the owners of this country. No political party is the owner of the country, no family is the owner of the country. The owners of the country are its 200 million people," he said.
The programme was chaired by Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila BNP President Abdul Mabud.
Among those who spoke at the event were Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, Cox's Bazar-3 MP Lutfur Rahman Kajal and local BNP leader Harunur Rashid.
Before speaking at the gathering, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially inaugurated the re-excavation of the historic Patali Canal by digging soil with a spade and planting a sapling on the canal bank.
Addressing the event, he said BNP derives its strength from the people and remains committed to serving the country and its citizens.
"The people are the source of all power for BNP. Public support is our greatest strength. As long as we live, we will continue to work for this country and its people because this country is BNP's first destination and its last destination," he said.
Tarique urged everyone to work together for the country's development, saying that building a stronger Bangladesh would ensure a better future for both present and future generations.
"If we can build this country, we and our children will live better lives. That is why we say: let us work, build the country, and put Bangladesh first," he said.
The Prime Minister said BNP believes in people-centred politics and noted that his government has already begun implementing several election promises aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
He mentioned initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmers' Card programmes, which have been introduced to assist low-income families and support farmers.
"We are standing beside farmers. We are standing beside ordinary people. Every commitment we made before the election is being implemented step by step," he said.
Tarique said the government is working to build a self-reliant rural economy through better irrigation facilities, agricultural support, and employment-generating programmes.
Speaking about the importance of the canal restoration project, he said the re-excavation of canals across the country would help increase agricultural production, improve water management, and benefit rural communities.
