Jamaat Shadow Budget Prioritizes Education, Technology

Education and technology have been given the second-highest priority in the shadow budget unveiled by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as an alternative to the national budget. The party has proposed an allocation of Tk 125,575 crore for the sector, accounting for 14.96 percent of the total budget.

The proposed “National Alternative or Shadow Budget” was presented on Tuesday at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka, by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. During the event, Executive Council Member and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-12 Saiful Islam Khan Milon outlined various aspects of the proposed budget.

While presenting the budget, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that the current July–June fiscal year often results in a rush to implement development projects during the monsoon season, creating opportunities for waste and corruption. He said the party would propose aligning the fiscal year with the calendar year.

An analysis of the proposed budget shows that public administration has been allocated the highest amount—Tk 202,245 crore, or 24.09 percent of the total budget. Education and technology rank second, with a proposed allocation of 14.96 percent.

The shadow budget also proposes a comparatively substantial allocation for the health sector. A total of Tk 45,240 crore, representing 5.39 percent of the budget, has been earmarked for healthcare. The party described education, technology, and health as key drivers of human resource development and long-term economic growth.

The budget sets aside Tk 127,500 crore, or 15.19 percent of total expenditure, for debt servicing. Other proposed allocations include Tk 65,340 crore for transport and communications, Tk 51,670 crore for agriculture, and Tk 48,150 crore for social security and welfare.

In addition, the budget proposes allocations of Tk 45,220 crore for local government and rural development, Tk 43,462 crore for defense, Tk 34,457 crore for public order and security, and Tk 24,950 crore for energy and power.

As part of proposed tax reforms, Jamaat has recommended using the National Identity Card (NID) as the Tax Identification Number (TIN). The party has also proposed introducing a Smart Social Security Number.

For individual taxpayers, the shadow budget recommends increasing the tax-free income threshold from Tk 450,000 to Tk 500,000. It also proposes annual tax rebates of Tk 50,000 for children's education expenses and an additional Tk 50,000 for each family member.

Leaders from various political parties, economists, and representatives from different professions attended the event.

//DBTech/SH/MI/OR//