Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has said the upcoming national budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year is aimed at restoring fiscal discipline and is not an irresponsible one.

He made the remarks on Sunday (May 18) while speaking to reporters after the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. 

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting.

“The main goal of this budget is to make fiscal management sustainable,” said Wahiduddin Mahmud, adding that the government will focus on increasing revenue collection.

At the meeting, the NEC approved the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Tk 2.30 lakh crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year. In addition, ADP allocation of around Tk 8,599.71 crore was approved for autonomous bodies and corporations.

As in previous years, the ADP has been formulated based on national resources, foreign financing, and the overall macroeconomic situation of the country.

Priority has been given to projects being implemented with foreign loans or grants, and those related to poverty reduction, employment generation, GDP growth, agriculture, agro-based industries, education, health, ICT, science and technology, electricity generation, disaster response and rehabilitation, and human resource development.

The meeting was attended by members of the Advisory Council, the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, members of the Planning Commission, and senior secretaries and secretaries from different ministries and divisions.

MSK/