Muhith terms current political unrest a ‘temporary crisis’

Finance Minister AMA Muhith feels the current political unrest triggered by the BNP-led alliance’s protest programmes is a temporary crisis.

He said on Sunday the situation would change soon with people’s resistance and government efforts.

Businessmen have been expressing worries over economic losses due to the blockade and shutdowns by the BNP-led coalition for over two months to press for snap polls under a ‘neutral’ caretaker government.

The finance minister was speaking in Parliament on the progress towards realising budget targets for the first six months of the current fiscal and the state of macroeconomy.

Attempts were on to prevent Bangladesh from attaining a middle-income country status through socio-economic achievements, he said.

He also spoke about the woes of small businesses, day labourers, and workers along with the hindrance in the supply of commodities and services due to the blockade and shutdowns.

“This temporary crisis pains us deeply but we believe that courageous prevention by people along with the government’s efforts will soon put an end to these unpopular acts,” he said.

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Muhith said in the statement that Bangladesh had been moving ahead normally from January to December in 2014.

“The steady lowering of inflation along with a continuous high rate of growth brought a sense of satisfaction among the people,” he said.

“It is a matter of deep pain that the recent acts lacking patriotism have hindered the possibilities. They hindered the natural life of the people,” he said.

In accordance with Section 15 (4) of the Public Finance and Budget Management Act 2009, the finance minister will submit reports of progress in realising the budget targets every three months in Parliament.

Muhith submitted the reports in July-September and October-December periods of the 2014-15 fiscal.