AL govt spent Tk982.9cr on Mujib Borsho celebrations, finance minister tells parliament
The expenditure covered nationwide programmes, construction of portraits, memorials and statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and installation of digital countdown boards, while the government says a decision on auditing the spending has yet to be made.
Highlights:
- AL govt spent Tk982.9cr on Mujib Borsho celebrations
- Expenditure channelled through 43 ministries and divisions
- Local Government Ministry accounted for highest spending
- No decision yet on audit or investigation
- Govt reviewing previous administration's spending gradually
The Awami League government spent Tk982.91 crore on Mujib Borsho celebrations, including nationwide programmes, construction of portraits, memorials and statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and installation of state-sponsored digital countdown boards, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told parliament today (12 July).
Mujib Borsho was the state celebration marking the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It was observed from 17 March 2020 and was later extended until 16 December 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The finance minister disclosed the expenditure while responding to a written question from Rangpur-3 MP Md Mahbubur Rahman (Belal) during the question-and-answer session on the 23rd sitting of the second and first budget session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.
The parliamentary session began at 3pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair.
The MP asked how much the government had spent on district and upazila-level programmes, construction of portraits and memorials of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, installation of bronze, copper and marble statues in government offices, and digital countdown boards marking Mujib Borsho, and whether any action would be taken over the expenditure.
In reply, the finance minister said a total of Tk982 crore 91 lakh 74 thousand had been spent through various ministries and divisions on those activities.
He said a detailed expenditure statement titled Mujib Borsho Celebration Expenditure had been tabled in parliament.
According to the minister, 43 of the government's 62 ministries and divisions incurred expenditure under the programme.
The Local Government Ministry accounted for the highest spending at Tk283.15 crore, followed by the Ministry of Railways with Tk206.74 crore, the Cabinet Division with Tk140.46 crore, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works with Tk133.03 crore, the Ministry of Home Affairs with Tk47.67 crore, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs with Tk26.26 crore, the Ministry of Defence with Tk24.30 crore, the Road Transport and Highways Division with Tk23 crore, and the Information and Communication Technology Division with Tk20.49 crore.
In a supplementary question, Mahbubur Rahman asked whether the government had initiated any audit or investigation into the expenditure, whether those responsible for any misuse of public funds would face legal action, and what measures would be taken to prevent similar spending on promoting individuals in the future.
The finance minister said no decision had yet been taken on auditing or investigating the Mujib Borsho expenditure.
He added that the government was also reviewing expenditure in several other sectors under the previous administration and would decide on further action after completing those reviews.
"This is only about Mujib Borsho. The previous prime minister also spent Tk35 crore on food and hospitality in a single year," he said.
Comparing the spending of the previous and current prime ministers, Amir Khasru said the issue extended beyond a single programme.
"We are gradually conducting stock checks on all such expenditures. Once the review is completed, I will inform Parliament about the decisions taken," he added.
