Bangladesh Spent Tk 982 Crore on 'Mujib Borsho' Programs, Minister Tells Parliament

Bangladesh's Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury informed parliament that a staggering Tk 982 crore, 91 lakh, and 74 thousand was allocated and spent by various ministries and divisions for programs commemorating "Mujib Borsho." This period marked the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with celebrations initially planned from March 2020 to December 2021, later extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The expenditures covered a range of initiatives, including the construction of images and memorials of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the installation of statues made from bronze, copper, and marble in government offices, and the setup of digital timekeeping boards. The Local Government Ministry reported the highest spending at Tk 283.15 crore, followed by the Railways Ministry with Tk 206.73 crore, and the Cabinet Division with Tk 140.45 crore.

In response to a question about audits and accountability, Chowdhury stated that no decision had yet been made regarding an audit or investigation into the "Mujib Borsho" expenditures. He indicated that the current government is reviewing expenditures from previous administrations, and future decisions would be based on these findings. The minister also highlighted that the food expenses of the former prime minister alone reached Tk 35 crore in a single year, suggesting a broader pattern of significant spending across various sectors and administrations.

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This is just Mujib Year. Besides, the then-PM’s food expenses alone in one year amounted to Tk 35 crore.