One billion for climate-friendly brickfields

The proposed budget for the next financial year has set aside Tk 1 billion to encourage the use of modern technology in brick fields to reduce pollution.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith presented a budget worth Tk 3.41 trillion in Parliament on Thursday. 

The proposed budget is 29 percent bigger than the amended budget of the concluding fiscal. 

The traditional methods of burning bricks “excessively harvest top soil”, waste energy and cause damage to the environment, he said. 

“These workplaces are also full of health and safety hazards. Hence, the use of scientific techniques, replacing the traditional system, will resolve these problems to a great extent.” 

The government, he said, had introduced modern technology in 4,000 brick fields. But private owners, lacking in funds and awareness, were to adopt them. 

“So, to encourage the installation of energy-saving kilns in brick fields, we propose to allocate Tk 1 billion, lump sum, in the next year's budget.” 

A policy will be drafted to decide on the utilization of the funds, he said.