Remittance to use for Padma Bridge construction: Muhith

Finance minister AMA Muhith on Monday said the government is planning to use remittance sent by non-resident Bangladeshis for the construction of Padma Multipurpose Bridge.

"Economists have supported and welcomed our decision for construction of Padma Bridge with own finance," the minister told reporters after a pre-budget consultation with economists and top business leaders.

In this connection, the finance minister said if the government issues bonds to raise the funds, overall expenditure for the mega project will go up.

"In this case, we can use the remittance sent by the NRBs. Economists have also given us such an advice," he added.

Replying to a question, he said that the government will carry out a study to assess the real amount of untaxed money in the second year of its tenure.

Muhith told reporters that a special focus will have to be given on poverty alleviation in the upcoming national budget.

Social safety net will have to be expanded to bring sweepers and other neglected population under its coverage, the finance minister added.