Proper assessment of Covid-19 impact absent in budget: SANEM

The proper assessment of the impact of the pandemic was absent in the proposed budget for 2021-22 fiscal year, said South Asian Network on Economic Modelling (SANEM).

If you do not assess the real context before announcing the budget then the problems will not be solved, said Prof Selim Raihan, executive director of the SANEM.

"The assessment of the Covid-19 was improper and inappropriate in the budget."

Raihan said, "The pandemic has a big impact on our poverty rate, job market, SMEs and overall economic situation, which was underestimated."

"Unfortunately, our government agencies also did not provide practical data to the government. But, data is much more important to take steps in such an unprecedented situation," he said.

Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha, research director of the SANEM, said a roadmap was needed to tackle the issues that arose with the pandemic like the rise of poverty and job loss.

Because, it is not clear that how the marginal people will get the benefits of the business-centric budget, she said.

A reform measure is also needed in the tax department and banking sector, she added.