By ensuring effective participation of the people in the national budget making and implementation processes, pro-people and inclusive development can be further accelerated, discussants said on Sunday.

To do so, there is no alternative to increasing the extent of the exchange of views between the Parliamentarians and the citizens, they said, adding that digital platforms can facilitate such interactions.

The discussants came up with the opinions at the inauguration of the ‘Digital Budget Information Helpdesk’ programme of the non-government think tank Unnayan Shamannay.

Under this programme, parliamentarians, media professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders will be able to get budget-related research and information support from the research team of Unnayan Shamannay.

At the same time, by using a website named ‘Amader Shangshad’ (Our Parliament), voters will be able to communicate their budget-related demands and suggestions to their respective parliamentarians.

Additionally, before and after the budget for the next fiscal year is proposed, budget-related live discussion sessions will be broadcasted  via social media platforms (where people will be able to directly interact with the sector experts).

The programme was inaugurated virtually by Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information Hasanul Haq Inu.

Unnayan Shamannay Chair and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman delivered welcome remarks.

Dr. Rahman pointed out that the budget for the next fiscal year is going to be proposed under especial circumstances.

On the one hand, there are the demands for recovery following the pandemic; and on the other hand, there is pressure to go for a somewhat contractionary fiscal policy in the context of the national macroeconomic situation caused by the geopolitical turmoil, he said.

Stakeholders will be looking to this budget to direct towards a balanced approach. In this context, the services of the Digital Budget Information Helpdesk will be especially useful for the stakeholders- opined Dr. Atiur.

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 said.

Unnayan Shamannay, for over a decade, has been providing budget-related information and research support to the honorable Parliamentarians from the Budget Information Help Desk operated from the Bangladesh National Parliament during the budget sessions.

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 organization’s Project Coordinator Zahid Rahman and the closing remarks were delivered by the organization’s Emeritus Fellow and eminent sociologist Khondoker Shakhawat Ali.