Let this budget mark a break from the past
As the nation prepares for its first budget following the uprising, likely to be unveiled within a month, the latest findings from the International Budget Partnership's Open Budget Survey should serve as a wake-up call for the interim government. Bangladesh continues to languish near the bottom of global lists on budget transparency—ranking 37th among 125 countries in 2023, and trailing behind most of our South Asian peers, according to the survey. This confirms what we have long known: the persistent lack of openness and accountability in fiscal governance under the Awami League and previous governments, particularly in the formulation and implementation of budgets.
In fact, the whole process of budgeting, starting from the very onset, has been plagued by a top-down approach, with very limited public participation and almost ceremonial legislative engagement. For instance, while many countries publish pre-budget statements—outlining the broad parameters of fiscal policies, economic forecast, and anticipated revenue, expenditures, and debt levels—to encourage discussion, Bangladesh does not do so. Moreover, recommendations from experts are seldom reflected in the proposed or approved budgets, rendering public consultation and any parliamentary discussion futile.
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Equally alarmingly, important materials that can help guide public debate—such as simplified budget summaries, monthly implementation reports, and audit reviews—are either missing or delayed. This trend is deeply problematic. In the absence of meaningful public participation in the decisions affecting their lives—such as which taxes to levy, which services to provide, or how much debt to take on—the whole process becomes authoritarian. The lack of transparency and accountability inevitably fuels inefficiency, waste, and corruption.
The question is, how can we expect people to pay taxes faithfully when they do not properly know where their money is going—having had little engagement or impact in the budgeting process—or worse, when they suspect that it is being misused? We must not let this trend continue. The interim government has a chance to demonstrate a clear break from the past, setting the ground for greater budget transparency from future political governments. It must begin by publishing a pre-budget statement to initiate public discussion, and ensure public opinion is properly reflected in eventual decisions. The authorities should also strive to adhere to global best practices at every stage of this crucial public matter.
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