For the first time since independence, Bangladesh’s national budget has contracted in size, with the interim government setting the 2025–26 outlay at BDT 790,000 crore, down from Tk 797,000 crore in the previous fiscal year.
Amid mounting fiscal pressure, the government is set to unveil a BDT 790,000 crore national budget for FY2025–26, reflecting a BDT 7,000 crore reduction from the current fiscal allocation. This marks the first budget contraction in the nation’s post-independence history, underscoring the economic strain facing the country.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed will present the budget on Monday, June 2, at 4:00 PM via state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar, and other media outlets. In a break from convention, the budget will bypass parliamentary discussion due to the dissolution of the Jatiya Sangsad following the political transition in July. Instead, it will be directly presented to the public—a practice last seen in 2008 under a caretaker government.
Officials from the Finance Ministry cite several reasons for the budget cut, including prolonged inflationary pressure, sluggish revenue performance, and ongoing macroeconomic instability. Despite the overall decrease, key sectors such as social safety nets, rural development, and employment generation are expected to receive increased allocations. The government aims to stimulate economic activity at the grassroots level while maintaining fiscal prudence.
In the absence of parliamentary proceedings, there will be no formal debate or vote on the budget. However, the interim administration has pledged to gather public feedback, which may influence revisions before final approval. The budget will be enacted through a presidential ordinance on or before July 1, with the Advisory Council, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, overseeing the process.
This year’s budget arrives during a sensitive political transition after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, amid mass demonstrations led by students and civil society groups. Observers note that the budget serves not only as a financial document but also as a reflection of the interim government’s commitment to stability and reform in a period of national uncertainty.
LND/BG
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