Speaker urges MPs to use Budget Helpdesk for better budget scrutiny

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has said the Budget Helpdesk plays an important role in helping lawmakers conduct data-driven analyses of the national budget and gain a deeper understanding of the government's fiscal policies and strategies.

"The nation will benefit if lawmakers take a greater interest in the budget and engage more actively in parliamentary initiatives," he said today (21 June) while inaugurating a budget debriefing session organised under the Budget Helpdesk-2026 programme at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.

He encouraged members of parliament to make greater use of the parliamentary library to enrich their knowledge and strengthen their participation in budget discussions.

"People are eagerly looking to this parliament. The roadmap for their future will be shaped here," he added.

Describing the initiative as a timely and significant step towards strengthening parliamentary democracy, he said such sessions help enhance MPs' capacity to scrutinise the national budget and understand broader public financial management issues.

He also identified revenue mobilisation, debt management and maintaining macroeconomic stability as some of the key challenges facing the national economy.

The speaker said programmes supported by the European Union aimed at strengthening parliamentary institutions were helping meet public expectations through effective participation and accountability of lawmakers

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal chaired the event while Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni spoke as a special guest.

Addressing the event, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal said public expectations of parliament had always been high since independence and that the government formed after the July Uprising represented a unique chapter in the country's democratic journey.

"People in every constituency are closely observing this parliament," he said.

He described parliament as the foundation of economic, social and state policy and said budget debriefing sessions contribute to the establishment of an evidence-based legislature.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented a practical and forward-looking budget aimed at ensuring the best use of limited resources.

He said the Budget Helpdesk provides valuable support to lawmakers in collecting and analysing budget-related information.

"There was a time when MPs had to struggle to obtain budget information. Thanks to this commendable initiative by the European Union, essential data and information are now readily available, creating opportunities for thorough budget analysis," he said.