Speakers at a webinar on Sunday said inclusive development can be accelerated by ensuring effective participation of the people in the National Budget formulation and implementation processes.
“To do so, there is no alternative of interactions between the parliamentarians and the citizens where digital platforms can facilitate enough,” they said while inaugurating a ‘Digital Budget Information Helpdesk’ of the non-government think tank Unnayan Shamannay.
Under this program, parliamentarians, media professionals, researchers and other stakeholders will be able to get budget-related research and information from the help desk.
At the same time, by using the website named ‘Amader Shangshad’ (Our Parliament), voters will be able to communicate their budget-related demands and suggestions with their respective parliamentarians.
Before and after the budget for the next fiscal year is proposed, budget-related live discussions will be broadcasted via social media platforms, where people will be able to directly interact with the sector experts.
The program was virtually inaugurated by the former Information Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Hasanul Haq Inu.
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The welcome remarks were made by Unnayan Shamannay Chair and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Professor Dr Atiur Rahman.
Dr Rahman pointed out that the budget for the next fiscal year is going to be proposed under special circumstances.
Stakeholders will be looking into this budget directly towards a balanced and appropriate approach. In this context, the services of the Digital Budget Information Helpdesk will be especially useful for the stakeholders, he added.
Hasanul Haque Inu pointed out that the lawmakers are especially interested to know the extent to which the budgets are aligned with the national macroeconomic aspirations.
It would be really appreciated if those responsible for the digital helpdesk can provide data and research support to track these issues, he added.
Unnayan Shamannay, for over a decade, has been providing budget-related information to the Parliamentarians from the Budget Information Help Desk operated by the Jatiya Sangsad during the budget sessions.
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This year, the Digital Budget Information Help Desk initiative has been launched to provide similar support to both the parliamentarians as well as other stakeholders.
The online launching event was moderated by the organisation’s Project Coordinator Zahid Rahman and the closing remarks were delivered by the organisation’s Emeritus Fellow and eminent sociologist Khondoker Shakhawat Ali.
