On paper, Tk 126,272 crore, the amount earmarked for social safety net programmes, looks to be a hefty sum. But the sum flatters to deceive: as much as 60 percent would be going towards those not in dire need.

The budget is only an account of the government's income and expenditure, one can’t expect it to make any fundamental changes to the economic structure.

Government must ensure that the most vulnerable get the assistance they need