POLITICS
AL govt spent over 900 crore taka on Mujib Borsho celebrations: Finance Minister
Finance Minister says the ousted Awami League spent Tk 982.91 crore on Mujib Year events; the government is reviewing records and has made no audit decision.
FARABI SAIFULLAH
Collected
BIONIC READING
In a Nutshell:
- Ministries and agencies spent close to Tk 9.83 billion on Mujib Year events, digital countdown boards, portraits, and bronze, copper, and marble sculptures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
- The Local Government Division recorded the highest outlay at Tk 2.83 billion, followed by the Ministry of Railways at Tk 2.07 billion.
- The minister said no firm decision on an audit has been made, adding that the government is still reviewing the previous administration's spending records before taking any formal action.
Why it Matters
The disclosure puts a concrete figure on how much public money went into a single commemorative program under the former government.
- The Tk 982.91 crore figure the minister cited is not the only number in circulation. The Anti-Corruption Commission has been running an inquiry into allegations that around Tk 4,000 crore was wasted from the state treasury on Mujib Borsho.
- By raising other costs, such as Tk 350 million on the former prime minister's food and hospitality in one year, the minister frames Mujib Year as one part of a wider examination of past expenditure.
- The short-term consequence is transparency without commitment; the longer-term outcome depends on whether the review leads to formal measures.
Who it matters to
The disclosure affects the current government, the former ruling party, and the public in different ways.
- It must decide whether and how to audit past spending, balancing calls for accountability against the need for a thorough, evidence-based review.
- Citizens gain a clearer view of how public funds were used by the former AL government and have a direct stake in whether the money was spent responsibly.