Experts demand participatory, pro-people budget

Economists, researchers, labour representatives and civil society members on Saturday called for a more participatory and people-centric national budget, citing mounting pressure from inflation, unemployment, debt obligations and rising VAT burdens.

The demands came at the day-long dialogue titled “People’s Budget Parliament 2026”, held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon and organised by the Democratic Budget Movement (DBM), said a press release.

Speakers said low- and middle-income groups are bearing the brunt of the current economic situation, with soaring food prices, rising fuel and energy costs, increased electricity and gas tariffs, and a shrinking job market making daily life increasingly difficult.

They also warned that growing external debt and rising interest repayments are narrowing the government’s fiscal space for development spending.

Discussions throughout the event focused on ensuring fairness in the national budget, increasing allocations for social protection, strengthening food security and agricultural development, and creating employment opportunities. Participants also stressed the need for balanced revenue and debt management.

Several speakers called for a more democratic budget-making process, placing emphasis on district-level budgeting, stronger local government institutions and wider public participation.

They observed that Bangladesh’s existing budget structure remains heavily centralised and said greater fiscal authority and allocation powers should be devolved to district and local levels to make development initiatives more effective.

The speakers also highlighted the importance of institutionalising open budget meetings, social audits and citizen engagement mechanisms.

Among those who took part in the discussions were Dr Kazi Maruful Islam, professor at the Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka; Prof Dr Sharmind Neelormi of Jahangirnagar University’s Economics Department; Prof Salma Akhtar of Dhaka University’s Sociology Department; agricultural economist Dr Jahangir Alam; Rajekuzzaman Ratan, president of the Socialist Labour Front; Dr Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD); Md Jamal Uddim Miah, director of BKMEA, Nuzhat Jabin, country director of Christian Aid Bangladesh and  Nazmul Ahsan Miraz, lead of Youth and Just Society at ActionAid Bangladesh.

Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development, joined the event virtually.

At the end of the programme, participants adopted the “People’s Budget Declaration 2026”, calling for an inclusive, accountable and employment-oriented budget framework.

The declaration also emphasised strengthening the fiscal capacity of local governments and expanding citizen participation in the budget formulation process.