31.5pc population poor: minister

The country has 46.79 million poor, says the planning minister. Updates

Dhaka, June 16 (bdnews24.com) – The country has 46.79 million poor, constituting 31.5 per cent of the total population of Bangladesh.

Planning minister AK Khandkar, in reply to AL lawmaker Mostaque Ahmed Ruhi, informed parliament that according to primary report of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2010, the number of ultra poor is 26.06 million and it covers 17.6 per cent of the population.

"Poor and ultra poor are determined by the cost of basic needs parameter, and based on the determinant, the poverty line is divided into the two categories," he explained.

Shipping minister M Shahjahan Khan said after the budget was announced on June 9, prices of essentials did not increase, rather they were stable.

"The proposed budget is aligned with Vision 2021 of the government," he said.

State minister for energy Enamul Haque thanked the finance minister for reducing tax on LPG cylinder.

He highlighted the development of the power and energy sector during the present government.

He said the government had struck a deal with ConocPhilips on Thursday after intense negotiation with the US-based company.

Shahiduzzaman Sarkar said proposed budget lacks focus on rural development and income inequality.

Lawmakers Abu Talha, Mohammad Yunus, Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Nazma Akhter and Mostafa Faruque Mohammad also spoke at the budget discussion.

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