The Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday presented a Tk 8,39,505 crore shadow budget ahead of the national budget for fiscal year 2026–27, which is scheduled to be placed in parliament tomorrow.
The shadow budget prioritises education and health and includes measures such as raising the tax-free income threshold to Tk 500,000, using National Identity (NID) card numbers as Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), increasing social safety net allowances, and introducing a new government pay scale.
Jamaat leader and Dhaka-12 MP Saiful Alam Khan Milon presented the proposal at an event titled “People-Oriented Budget Proposal 2026–2027” at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar.
The shadow budget sets a revenue target of Tk 6,65,926 crore and projects an overall deficit of Tk 1,68,329 crore, equivalent to 2.43 percent of GDP.
Saiful said the proposals were based on the principles of equality, justice, and human dignity with the goal of building a welfare state.
He alleged that years of political patronage, corruption, and money laundering had weakened the country’s economic foundations. Recovering laundered money could help reduce the budget deficit, he said.
As part of tax reforms, the Jamaat proposed replacing the separate TIN system with NID numbers and introducing a “Smart Social Security Number” to widen the tax base.
Besides raising the tax-free income threshold for individual taxpayers from Tk 4,50,000 to Tk 500,000, the party proposed introducing tax rebates on educational expenses incurred by taxpayers, their family members, or dependents.
Under the social safety net programme, the Jamaat proposed increasing old-age, widow, and disability allowances, as well as benefits under the mother and child assistance programme, from the current Tk 650–900 per month to Tk 1,000 initially and gradually to Tk 3,000.
The proposal also includes monthly honorariums of Tk 7,500 for imams, Tk 5,000 for muezzins, and Tk 3,000 for mosque caretakers nationwide.
For government employees, the Jamaat proposed a new pay scale under which employees in grades 10–20 would receive a 100 percent salary increase, while officials in grades 1–9 would receive a gradual 80 percent salary adjustment.
In terms of sectoral allocation, public administration received the largest share at Tk 2,02,245 crore, accounting for 24.09 percent of the total budget.
Education and technology were allocated Tk 1,25,575 crore, followed by Tk 1,27,500 crore for debt servicing, Tk 65,340 crore for transport and communication, Tk 51,670 crore for agriculture, Tk 48,150 crore for social security and welfare, Tk 45,240 crore for health, and Tk 45,220 crore for local government and rural development.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said honesty, transparency, and accountability were essential not only for preparing a budget but also for ensuring its effective implementation.
Without these, no budget could succeed, he said.
Shafiqur alleged that increasing political interference in financial institutions was putting economic management at risk.
Criticising the tax collection system as ineffective, he said revenue collection could rise significantly if businesses were allowed to operate in a transparent and harassment-free environment.
He also questioned the current July–June fiscal year structure, arguing that it encourages a rush to implement Annual Development Programme (ADP) projects during the monsoon season, creating opportunities for waste and corruption.
The Jamaat chief said his party would propose aligning the fiscal year with the calendar year.
“In June, development activities are often disrupted by monsoon rains, droughts, cyclones, and other natural disasters. Yet a large portion of the ADP is rushed through at that time. The public does not benefit from it; rather, dishonest beneficiaries do,” he said.
Shafiqur also proposed placing supplementary budgets in parliament at least three months before the fiscal year ends to improve oversight of public spending.
At present, supplementary budgets are often tabled at the end of the fiscal year after most expenditures have already been made, limiting parliamentary scrutiny and accountability, he added.
The event was moderated by Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, head of Jamaat’s publicity and media department.
Others present included National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Khelafat Majlish Nayeb-e-Ameer Ahmad Ali Qasemi, AB Party General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, and Jagpa President Tasmia Pradhan.
Jamaat leaders present included Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam, Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman, and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad.
