Professor Anu Muhammad, a prominent economist and public intellectual, has urged for increased allocation to education and healthcare in its national budget. Speaking at a public discussion organized by the Committee for Democratic Rights, he stated that Bangladesh ranks among the lowest globally in terms of budgetary allocations for these two essential sectors—a condition he described as both alarming and unsustainable for national development.
The event, titled “Bangladesh After People’s Uprising: What Kind of Budget Do We Want?”, was held on Friday at the National Press Club. Attended by civil society members, researchers, and activists, the discussion focused on the upcoming national budget and the need for a people-centered approach to public spending.
In his keynote speech, Professor Muhammad emphasized that meaningful reform must go beyond lip service and token increases. “While multiple reform commissions have tabled their recommendations and identified crucial areas for improvement, the government has yet to take bold and effective action,” he said. According to him, increasing allocations for education and healthcare is one of the most immediate and achievable steps the government can take to demonstrate its commitment to social welfare and inclusive development.
Highlighting the inefficiencies in current budget management, Professor Muhammad pointed out that much of the allocated funds are often misdirected toward unnecessary or politically motivated projects, foreign junkets by officials, and a bloated bureaucracy plagued by corruption. He insisted that to ensure proper utilization of public funds, the entire budget process must be made transparent, with full disclosure of sector-wise spending and outcomes accessible to the general public.
As an example of a transformative reform, he proposed a radical but practical policy measure: requiring all high-level government officials, including ministers, advisors, and top bureaucrats, to use only public education and healthcare services. “If the nation’s decision-makers are compelled to rely on public institutions, they will naturally be more invested in improving their quality and accessibility,” he argued. “Such a move would quickly shift the focus from private profiteering to public service.”
Professor Muhammad also criticized the previous government’s decision to invest 3,500 crore taka in a satellite project, arguing that such expenditures, while symbolic, do not contribute meaningfully to national capacity-building. He questioned the utility of large-scale, prestige-driven investments when basic needs like education, healthcare, and research infrastructure remain critically underfunded. Instead, he advocated redirecting such funds toward scientific research and innovation at local universities, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. “An investment in science education is an investment in the future,” he said. “It builds real capacity, not just illusions of advancement.”
Another significant issue raised by Professor Muhammad was the timing of the fiscal year, which currently runs from July to June. He argued that this schedule creates logistical problems, particularly because the end of the fiscal year coincides with the monsoon season, leading to rushed spending, project delays, and mismanagement. As a solution, he suggested shifting the fiscal calendar to either align with the Bengali calendar or the January–December international standard. “Budget efficiency is not just about money—it’s about timing and implementation,” he noted.
Professor Muhammad concluded by stating that this year’s budget presents an opportunity for the government to initiate real, structural reforms that prioritize public interest over elite privilege. “By increasing both the quantity and quality of spending in education and healthcare, the government can begin to restore public trust and pave the way for a more equitable future,” he said.
The event also featured remarks from several other members of the Committee for Democratic Rights, including Maha Mirza, Kallol Mostafa, Harun Ur Rashid, Mosahida Sultana, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Sajib Tanvir, Marzia Prova, Kaushik Ahmed, and Salman Siddiqui. These speakers echoed Professor Muhammad’s concerns and called for transparent governance, accountable leadership, and a budget that reflects the needs of ordinary citizens rather than the interests of a privileged few.
The discussion ended with a call to action: for citizens to actively engage in the budget process and demand that national resources be directed toward the sectors that form the backbone of a just and progressive society.
