Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced the implementation of the Teesta Barrage master plan at any cost as a national priority project. Speaking on the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the National Assembly, he said the government’s development plan will be taken forward focusing on agriculture, water management and economic recovery.
Taking part in the discussion on the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government is determined to implement the Teesta Barrage master plan with the highest priority in national interest and agricultural development.
He said the BNP has always given priority to the interests of agriculture and farmers. During the tenure of the state, the party has taken various initiatives to ensure the flow of water in the river and will continue to do so in the future.
20km of canal excavation plan in five years
The prime minister said about 900km of canals have been excavated and re-excavated across the country in the last three months after assuming office. In the next five years, plans for excavation and re-excavation of 20 thousand kilometres of canals will be implemented, which will play a positive role in agricultural production, irrigation and water management.
‘Crisis is not denial, not excuses’
Regarding the current economic situation in the country, the prime minister said the government is aware of the multi-dimensional crisis in the country. However, the government has promised to deal with the crisis through political will and effective policies instead of using it as an excuse.
In his words, the country’s economy was in a fragile state at the time of taking office. The economic structure was weakened due to long-standing corruption, looting and incorrect economic policies.
A significant burden on foreign debt
The prime minister said the burden of huge foreign debt is now putting pressure on the country’s economy due to unplanned and demonstrated development projects taken during the previous government.
He said that many of these projects do not have any revenue or economic benefits. As a result, people have to spend their money and now they have to pay the installment of that loan.
The government’s commitment to revive the economy
The prime minister also said in the past, money laundering, irregularities in the capital market, the fall of foreign exchange reserves and the decline in the value of money had put pressure on the country’s economy. The government is working with the people to deal with this crisis.
He said the main philosophy of the government is ‘Bangladesh first, Bangladesh for everyone’. The budget is aimed at building a democratic, human and welfare-oriented state.
GDP, not the development of people’s lives.
The Prime Minister said that development cannot be limited to GDP growth. Real development is possible only when the common people’s livelihoods are relieved, the youth will be created employment and the farmers will get the fair price of their produce for sure.