Role of civil society important for participatory budget: Deputy Speaker

Overall wellbeing and economic progress of the citizens are tied with the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Budget making and implementation process. Thus, it is of critical importance to ensure effective participation of the elected representatives as well as the broader people in the budget process. And it is the Civil Society that must play a strong role to ensure to that end. Honorable Deputy Speaker of the twelfth National Parliament- Md. Shamsul Hoque Tuku said Wednesday ( 22 May), while speaking as the Chief Guest at the launching of Unnayan Shamannay’s ‘Amader Sangsad (Our Parliament)’ platform. This platform, jointly facilitated by Unnayan Shamannay and Bank Asia PLC intends to provide information and analysis services to honorable Parliamentarians and other stakeholders during upcoming Budget Session of the National Parliament.

The event was Chaired by former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Unnayan Shamannay’s founder Chairperson Emeritus Professor Dr. Atiur Rahman. Special guests were- opposition deputy leader of the 12th National Parliament Anisul Islam Mahmud, MP; Whip Advocate Sanjida Khanam, MP; and Rashed Khan Menon, MP. Representatives from different think tanks, development organizations, universities, civil society organizations and Bank Asia PLC officials were present at the event. Unnayan Shamannay’s Research Director Abdullah Nadvi presented the proposed activities of the ‘Amader Sangsad’’ platform and and Head of Programs Shaheen Ul Alam presided over the program.

This platform is a latest inclusion in Unnayan Shamannay’s decades-long campaign for participatory budget in Bangladesh. Via this platform, National Budget-related research and data assistance will be provided for the stakeholders through hotline services, help desk services at the office premises, exchange of views with the media professionals and the youth, budget review dialogue sessions, etc.