Govt capable of implementing FY24 budget: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government will be able to implement the Tk 7,61,785-crore national budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, as they have shown their capacity earlier.

"We've placed the biggest national budget in the history of the country, and we are determined to implement this budget. We can implement it, and the Awami League can do it," she said.

Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while addressing the commissioning ceremony of the new intercity train "Chilahati Express" on the Chilahati-Dhaka-Chilahati route on Sunday.

She said that many people would say many things (about this budget), however, "We, the Awami League, know about this country's wellbeing and its people also".

In 2006 during the BNP regime, the size of the budget was only Tk 61,000 crore, Sheikh Hasina said, adding, "But our government unveiled a Tk 761,785-crore national budget on June 1 last. "

She said that a group of people are availing the option of several television channels, the licenses to which were given to the private sector by the AL government, and those channels always criticise whatever the government does and find "but" (flaws) there, sitting in air-conditioned rooms.

They also spread words to disappoint the people and talk bad about Bangladesh before the foreigners, she said, adding, "But what they get from it, I don't know. They may collect some hadia (money) which actually I can't say, they get satisfaction talking against Bangladesh".

About the people who used to say that the government can't implement after placing the national budget every year, she said the government does it and shows it through implementation.

"I want to say to these types of people that please keep in mind what you said last year and where today's Bangladesh has come from, please calculate and compare it," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said that the price of each product across the globe has been raised due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia War and sanction-counter sanctions.

She said that prices of fuel oil, gas, foodstuff, wheat, sugar and everything that Bangladesh is importing from other countries, have been increased along with the hike in transportation costs, which is mounting pressure on the country's economy.

"We've taken some initiatives to tackle the situation," she added.

The PM launched the train – Chilahati Express – by blowing a whistle and waving a flag at a ceremony held at Chilahati Railway Station in Nilphamari as the chief guest, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban on Sunday morning.

With a capacity of 800 passengers and modern facilities, the train will ply across the Chilahati-Dhaka-Chilahati route six-day in a week.

Chilahati Railway Station is an important intersection in the Nilphamari district as the Haldibari-Chilahati route was revived to resume rail communication between Bangladesh and India.

Alongside goods-laden wagons, the inter-country Mitali Express is running on this route.

Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah moderated the ceremony, while railway secretary Dr Md Humayun Kabir delivered a welcome address. Railways Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan also spoke on the occasion.

A video documentary on the Bangladesh Railway (BR) was screened.