In the wake of the historic July 2024 uprising, Bangladesh finds itself at a defining moment of profound challenge and unprecedented opportunity. The popular mandate that emerged was not for incremental adjustments but for a fundamental People-Centered of a state apparatus that had become disconnected from its constitutional promise and the aspirations of its people. It is against this backdrop of national renewal that this special publication presents the National People-Centered Budget, a comprehensive blueprint designed not merely to manage the economy, but to re-engineer its very foundations on the principles of justice, equity, and sovereignty.
This report moves beyond the confines of conventional fiscal planning. It rejects the top-down, resource-constrained model that has perpetuated a cycle of underfunding and debt dependency. In its place, a people-centric framework is recommended that begins by identifying the non-negotiable investments required to build a just society and then architects a bold and credible strategy to finance them. The core of this vision is a revolutionary approach to revenue. Our analysis details a sovereign revenue strategy that shifts the tax burden from regressive consumption taxes to progressive taxes on wealth and excess profits. Most critically, it outlines a determined plan to recover the vast sums lost to the illicit economy, transforming the fight against corruption from a political slogan into a core pillar of fiscal policy.
This new fiscal space enables a radical re-prioritization of national expenditure. The proposed Budget details a strategic pivot away from funding a bloated administrative state and towards massive, targeted investments in human capital and social resilience. Social Security and Welfare is elevated to our top priority, envisioned as a powerful macroeconomic tool to stimulate domestic demand and build a robust middle class. The budget makes transformative investments to de-commodify healthcare, eradicate learning poverty in education, and empower farmers through genuine land reform.
Furthermore, this report outlines a plan for deep institutional reform, proposing the creation of new, specialized ministries for Research & Innovation and Public Transport, and dedicated divisions to tackle systemic challenges in housing and climate resilience. This is a blueprint for building a state that is not only more effective but also more accountable to its citizens.
The path to national People-Centered is arduous, demanding courage, vision, and a steadfast commitment to the public good. The choices made in this critical period will define the nation’s trajectory for generations. We believe the framework presented in these pages offers a viable, evidence-based, and fiscally sound roadmap. We hope this report serves as a vital contribution to the national discourse, sparking debate and inspiring the collective action needed to build a more just, prosperous, and sovereign Bangladesh.