A total of 17 percent of the low-income group have no idea about what the budget is, according to a recent study.
BRAC, research firm I’Social and Development Coordination jointly conducted the survey to determine the influence of the national budget on the low-income group and the minimum changes required to bring socio-economic change. The research will continue from 2019 to 2025.
The initial findings of the survey were unveiled during a media call at Dhaka’s CIRDAP International Conference Center on Tuesday (Jun 25).
The researchers said that the primary findings have been divided up in three parts: effectiveness of social security system, public opinion on different priorities in the national budget and preparation of the marginal households to tackle disasters.
The survey showed that out of the 4,800 marginal households, 10 percent are availing social security services and one-third of that number is women.
It showed that old age, widow, special needs and freedom fighter allowance are the four services that are focused on while, most of the other social security services aren’t availed as much.
Two-thirds of the people think that prices of commodities are increased after the budget while 5 percent think that it has no significant effect on day to day life.
“We spend around 62 to 67 percent from our own pockets in the health sector. The government doesn’t provide that and more than fifty percent people in the survey say that allocation must be increased in the health sector,” said Atiur Rahman, former Bangladesh Bank governor.
He added that the government is focusing on education, health and then on subsidies in agriculture.
Rahman said that if such surveys are carried out regularly then it will be helpful for the policymakers to take decision.