Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday said the interim government will not incorporate any mega projects that cost billions of dollars in the next budget for FY2025-26.

"We will not undertake monumental projects costing $10-$12 billion in the upcoming budget. Instead, we will take projects that create employment."

He made the remarks during a pre-budget meeting with editors and senior journalists from print, online, and electronic media held at his office at the Secretariat in the capital.

He said the next budget will be realistic and people-centric.

"We will not formulate a budget that an elected government would throw away," said the finance adviser, adding that the upcoming budget will mainly focus on controlling inflation, not driving economic growth.

Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Mozumder expressed optimism that inflation could be brought down to 8 percent by June this year.

During the meeting, editors suggested several measures, including steps to control inflation, expanding the social safety net programmes, raising the tax-free income limit to at least Tk 5 lakh, and increasing allocations for health and education sectors.

The editors and senior journalists also mentioned various challenges faced by the media, including high taxes levied on the newspaper industry.

In response, the finance adviser assured them that challenges faced by newspapers, television, and online platforms would be taken into consideration in the budget.

The finance adviser emphasised that allowances under social safety net programmes would be increased, but the extent would depend on the availability of resources.

Financial Express Editor Shamsul Haque Zahid suggested that the interim government, which will present the budget in June, should formulate a budget that the next government can implement, especially considering the possibility of elections later this year.

He also recommended a realistic approach to budgeting given low revenue earnings.

Abdul Hai Shikdar, editor of Daily Jugantor, proposed increasing the tax-free income threshold above Tk 4 lakh.

Zakir Hossain, associate editor of Daily Samakal, said that the newspaper industry faces a total import tax of 31 percent on newsprint, and despite repeated requests over the years, no steps have been taken to reduce it.

He further said allowances in the government's social security programmes are very low, suggesting increasing the allowances to at least Tk 3,000 per month.

Shawkat Hossain, online editor at the daily Prothom Alo, emphasised that job creation should be a major focus of this budget.

He also suggested shortening the budget speech.

In response, the finance adviser agreed to reduce its length to 50-60 pages.

Mizanur Rahman, head of operations at The Daily Star, stressed the need to incorporate automation into the operations of the National Board of Revenue in the next budget to enhance its efficiency.

Mostafa Kamal, editor of Daily Khaborer Kagoj, and Syed Shahnewaz Karim, acting editor of Daily Shomoyer Alo, also spoke at the meeting.