It is useless for everyone to talk about budget because most of the conversations, comments, and analysis are based on hypothesis and assumptions. And often ordinary people (that includes me) can't make a distinction of opinions against hard facts. Usually in daily newspapers, opinions appear in editorials or sub-editorials, but when budget is announced, the newspapers are not ashamed of putting their partisan opinions at the first page along with opinions of so called analysts and experts (I call them losers). This is not helpful at all.
What is worse is that it has become a culture of the opposition (whoever it is) to oppose the budget without knowing which part or what aspects of the budget they are opposing to. I am 100% confident that those who demonstrated against and for the budget last night have no idea whatsoever about its content. It is a kind of mindlessness that is plaguing us.
I am not defending Saifur's budget. I am just referring to the stupidity we go through each time a budget is announced. And I wonder why almost all newspapers are angry. Is it because it is a pro-poor budget? Is it because it has too much social welfare in it? They are constantly complaining that this budget will appease the voters. Well, what the hell is wrong with that? Don't they have obligations towards their voters? Don't they have commitments to fulfil? It is apparent that media people didn't vote for the alliance, but vast majority of the countryman did. So, do another favour, talk yourself to death.
I agree with you on this. Most of the people who are opposing and congratulating the budget have no idea on this.
ReplyDeletePolitical affiliations apart, I know one thing, Saifur Rahman is a qualified accountant by profession and an experienced campaigner in finance sector. He has introduced VAT into this country and it is one sector that collects the most internal revenue. And I respect his idea that we should be self sufficient more and we really have to decrease dependancy on conditioned loan from doners.
Our problem is that we talk too much and always undermine our fellow countrymen specially if they are in the opposition. It has become a culture.
There can be ceretain constructive criticism of this budget, like why the minimum tax on taxable income was raised from 1200 to 1500 and why some of the higher income groups have been relaxed on some taxes, or why the Professionals (like consultant Drs) are exempted from VAT. These are the things which all the parties should discuss in the budget session of parliament. But I know that the MPs will not do that at all the tax payers expense.