Staff Reporter:
The post-budget dinner for the 2026–27 fiscal year has been cancelled on instruction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The Prime Minister’s additional press secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the decision was taken as part of the government’s austerity measures. The cancellation is expected to save the government approxi-mately Taka 50 lakh.
Every year, on the day the national budget is passed, the Ministry of Finance hosts a dinner at the Sang-sad Bhaban. The event is typically attended by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, mem-bers of the Cabinet, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, and journalists.
Ruman said during the tenure of former fascist Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister’s Of-fice spent an average of Taka 30 to Taka 55 crore annually on hospitality for its officials and staff.
In addition to that, an extra Taka 10 to Taka 12 crore was also spent each year. For example, in the 2018–19 fiscal year, expenditure under this head amounted to Taka 302,297,335, he said.
The Bangladesh Tourism Corporation supplied food for the officials and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, he said, adding that a substantial amount from that period remains unpaid, and the current gov-ernment has been settling those outstanding dues in phases.
After concluding voting on various demands for grants, the national budget was unanimously passed in the JS yesterday.
The Additional Press Secretary further said after assuming office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman re-duced hospitality allowances. This month, hospitality expenses for the officials and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office amounted to Tk 1,100,069.
He also said in addition, around Taka 90 lakh was spent on hospitality for officials and staff of the PMO during the two Eid receptions held at the state guest house Jamuna.
