MP Zainul urges finance minister to increase freedom fighters' allowances

Ruling party lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque today (27 June) urged Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to increase the allowance for freedom fighters, saying the nation must do more to recognise those who fought for Bangladesh's independence.

"If the allowance for freedom fighters is increased, your name will be written in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh," Farroque said while taking part in the general discussion on the proposed FY2026-27 national budget in the parliament.

At the beginning of his speech, the lawmaker thanked the finance minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman for presenting what he described as "a beautiful budget".

With Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair, Farroque said the proposed budget includes important initiatives for the health, industry, employment and women's development sectors that would help revive the country's economy.

Paying tribute to those killed and injured during the 2024 mass uprising, he said the sacrifices made in recent years should be remembered while ensuring that the history of the Liberation War is never forgotten.

He welcomed the allocation for the health sector, particularly the initiative to upgrade 50-bed hospitals to 100-bed facilities, saying it would significantly expand healthcare services across the country.

Farroque also praised the allocation of Tk20,000 crore to revive industries that had remained closed due to prolonged electricity and gas shortages.

He said reopening these factories would increase industrial production and create new employment opportunities.

The lawmaker further welcomed the budgetary measures aimed at empowering women and reducing youth unemployment.

He stressed the need for all political parties represented in parliament to work together to uphold the independence of the judiciary.

Referring to the opposition's response to the budget, Farroque said the familiar slogan, "We reject it, we will not accept it," was absent this year.

"The opposition will certainly criticise the government, but that criticism must be constructive. You criticise, we will respond, but the criticism must be constructive," he said.

Farroque also underscored the importance of presenting the true history of the Liberation War, the killing of intellectuals and the country's struggle for independence to the younger generation.

Concluding his speech, he recalled the role of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in establishing multi-party democracy and called for national unity by learning from past political divisions and conflicts.

"Bangladesh comes first," he said, urging everyone to work together for the country's development.