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The traditional post-budget dinner following the passage of the national budget was cancelled this year on the instructions of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as part of the government’s austerity drive aimed at reducing public expenditure.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the cancellation of the event is expected to save the government around Tk 50 lakh.
The Ministry of Finance has traditionally hosted the dinner at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on the day the national budget is passed. The event is usually attended by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, cabinet members, lawmakers, senior government officials and journalists.
According to Ruman, the decision reflects the government’s broader efforts to curb unnecessary state spending and promote fiscal discipline.
Highlighting what he described as a shift in expenditure policy, Ruman alleged that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) spent between Tk 30 crore and Tk 55 crore annually on hospitality for its officials and staff.
He said an additional Tk 10 crore to Tk 12 crore was also spent each year under another hospitality-related head. As an example, he cited the 2018-19 fiscal year, when expenditure under that category reached Tk 302.3 million.
Ruman said the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation had supplied food for officials and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office during that period, but a substantial portion of the bills remained unpaid. He added that the current government has been clearing those outstanding dues in phases.
The Additional Press Secretary said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has significantly reduced hospitality expenses since assuming office. He noted that hospitality expenditure for PMO officials and staff this month stood at Tk 1,100,069.
He also said around Tk 90 lakh was spent on hospitality for officials and staff during the two Eid receptions held at the state guest house Jamuna.
Meanwhile, Ruman said the Prime Minister remained actively engaged throughout Tuesday’s parliamentary proceedings on the budget.
According to him, Tarique Rahman, who is also the Leader of the House, arrived at Parliament at 9:45am and remained in the chamber from the beginning of the session. He participated in voting on the demands for grants and took part in legislative business.
During breaks in the proceedings, the Prime Minister continued carrying out official responsibilities and signed urgent government files, Ruman added.
The national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, amounting to Tk 9.38 lakh crore, was passed unanimously in Parliament on Tuesday after the House concluded voting on various demands for grants.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury had presented the proposed budget in Parliament on June 11, marking the first full-year budget of the BNP-led government.
