Finance Minister Khosru says nearly Tk 10bn was spent on Mujib Year celebrations

The government is reviewing past spending

Nearly Tk 9.83 billion has been spent on Mujib Year celebrations under the ousted Awami League government, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has told parliament.

Responding to a question from Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mahbubur Rahman Belal on Sunday, he said ministries, divisions and their agencies spent the money on events, portraits and memorial structures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, bronze, copper and marble sculptures at government offices, and digital countdown boards.

The Local Government Division spent the most, at Tk 2.83 billion, followed by the railways ministry with Tk 2.07 billion.

Asked whether the expenditure would be audited, Khosru said no decision had yet been taken.

"This is only Mujib year. Besides this, Tk 350 million was spent on the prime minister's food and hospitality expenses in a single year," he said.

He added that the government was reviewing spending by the previous administration before deciding on further action.