War against graft underway, no one will be spared: PM Hasina declares in JS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (29 June) declared that a drive against corruption has been started and no one will be spared.

"We have launched a drive against corruption, and no one will be saved. No matter whoever will be involved in corruption, we will not spare," she said.

The prime minister made the remarks in parliament while speaking during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2024-25.

She said the budget proposed to legalise undisclosed money with the aim to bring that money into the mainstream.

"The money which was not disclosed due to various reasons needs to be brought into the mainstream of the economy. For that purpose we have proposed to offer an amnesty," said the PM.

She also said BNP leader Khaleda Zia, former finance minister Saifur Rahman and Gano Forum leader Dr Kamal Hossain availed the opportunity in the past.

"Such opportunities were often given in the past," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also the leader of the House, said based on good policy strategy and the power of mass people, the government will build Smart Bangladesh to materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — a hunger- and poverty-free Bangladesh.

"We all will advance the country by implementing this budget and through this the country will take one step forward," she said.

The prime minister said some have called the budget ambitious and some termed it is a deficit budget.

"A while ago, the leader of the opposition party also said it is not possible to implement this budget. Taking the challenge is our job. We want to continue with the challenge and we are moving forward with the challenge."

She also said she does not think this budget is ambitious.

"Yes, the goal we set is never 100% fulfilled, it is not possible to do that. Still, we have a definite goal that we are going to get here. We have been able to do that."

PM Hasina said the fate of the people of the country has changed.

"We have formulated this budget and given the development budget to continue our development trend. There is nothing to reduce here."

Commenting that the Awami League government does not forget the party's election manifesto, she said, "We prepare a manifesto before the election. But we do not forget this manifesto. We fulfil the promise to the nation after being elected by the people's vote."

The prime minister said she thinks that through the budget it will be possible to implement the future plans till 2041.