Defence budget proposed at over Tk40,851 crore

The interim government has proposed a defence budget worth more than Tk40,851 crore for the fiscal year starting next month.

Finance Advisor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed made the proposal in a televised address on Monday.

In the outgoing fiscal year, the toppled Awami League government had allocated over Tk 42,314 crore for the defence sector, but the figure was later revised down to over Tk39,415 crore.

The Defence Ministry includes Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, DGFI, DGDP, DGMS, National Defence College, DSCSC, Armed Forces Medical College, MIST, Cadet Colleges, BNCC, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, SPARRSO, Survey of Bangladesh, DMLC, DFD, MES, CAO, ISPR, Department of Cypher, MODC, Bangladesh Ordnance Factory, ISSB and BASB.

Areas of budget spending

Procurement of arms, ammunitions and modern warfare equipment’s, training in modern war strategies and extension of information technology etc. are important to build a versatile and skilled Army, Navy and Air Force.

Considering this, the area of modernisation of armed forces has been selected as top priority area.

Timely and accurate forecasting and early warning on excessive rainfall, flood, drought, coastal depression, cyclone and tidal surge are critically important to address the challenges of climate change, it’s adverse impact on agriculture and natural calamities.

Besides, relevant information on preparedness against disasters like earthquakes and tsunami warnings are important for the government as well as mass people. Considering all these, this area been given second most priority.

Services of the Inter-Service Departments are essential to enhance the capacity and modernization of Armed Forces. Therefore, it is necessary to expand and improve the standard of these services in order to strengthen the capability of the Armed Forces. For this reason, activities of the Inter Services Departments have been given third priority.