'No specific allocation for North Bengal'

"Balanced distribution of resources as ensured in the constitution was not reflected in the budget," said Prof Dr Shamsul Alam Bir Protik of Rajshahi University.

He said most of the agriculture produces come from North Bengal but the neglected region and its huge unemployed population were left totally neglected.

Prof Alam said the very election pledges of BNP for setting up of an agro-based export processing zone, silk village, supplying of natural gas through pipeline to Rajshahi and development of the land ports were also ignored.

He said local demands including installation of a power station, agro-based industrial park, fertiliser factory, connecting Rajshahi with super information highway, allocation of cricket test venue and development of jute, textile and silk mills were not addressed.

Of the total 900 projects including 100 new, there is no specific project for the north except one for facing the Manga situations, he added.

Bulbul Chowdhury, a prominent industrialist, said marked increase in agriculture is merely an eyewash since most funds will be spent as administrative expenses and graft.

Bulbul, owner of Chowdhury Agro Industries, said businessmen might get some relief from equity fund rise and extension of tax exemption, but ultimate development of the region will suffer from power and gas crises.

Bangladesh Reshom Malik Samity President Merajul Alam Babul said there is no arrangement for saving the traditional silk business.

"Our demands for lowering income tax and import tax on silk cotton were not considered in the budget," he added.

"The budget is positive to look at, but its implementation is not that easy," said eminent economist and Rajshahi University teacher Prof M Abdur Rahman.

He said loan defaulters who have kept some Tk 40,000 crore unpaid, remain untouched.

BNP leader and Rajshahi Chamber President Lutfar Rahman said, "Good communication through Jamuna Bridge will not come to any use due to lack of any separate allocation in the budget for North Bengal."

"The budget is contradictory," said Omar Faruk Chowdhury, an Awami League leader and prominent businessman.

What subsidy will do if production cost rises due to fuel and power crises, he questioned.