National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam on Friday said the proposed national budget would not be capable of delivering the economic reforms the country urgently needs.

Speaking to reporters at the Chattogram Circuit House, Nahid said the government has introduced some positive measures in the budget, including tax cuts on certain products and increased allocations for education, healthcare and social safety programmes.

“They have shown some creativity in the budget. Although these are positive steps, we do not think they will actually be implementable,” he said.

“We have not heard any clear statement on how the government plans to bring those, who were nurtured by fascism, looted public money and are now abroad,” Nahid added.

Referring to the country’s banking sector, Nahid warned that the situation remained fragile.

This budget does not provide a roadmap for steering the overall fragile economy, he added.

The opposition chief whip said employment would shrink under the proposed budget.

“We believe there are three fundamental problems in the economy at present-the banking sector, the energy and power sector, and employment,” he said.

He argued that the government would have to borrow to finance the budget deficit, reducing private-sector credit and investment opportunities.

“The budget does not address youth employment or offer a way out of the fragile condition of the banking sector,” the NCP leader added.

Nahid also questioned the budget’s ability to curb corruption.

“How will this budget stop corruption? A bigger budget means greater opportunities for corruption,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Nahid and NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary offered Jumma prayers at Dayem Nazir Jame Mosque adjacent to Jameya Ahmadia Sunnia Alia Madrasa in the port city.

Speaking there, Patwary said the nation would remember with gratitude the contribution of students of Jameya Madrasa to the July mass uprising.

“Islam spread across the subcontinent, particularly in Bengal, through saints, dervishes, fakirs and Awliya-e-Keram. Their sacrifices, ideals and spiritual devotion helped spread the light of Islam throughout the region,” he said.

NCP Chattogram Divisional Organising Secretary Abu Sayeed Mohammad Suja Uddin, City Convener Mir Mohammad Shoaib and other party leaders and activists were present.

Nahid and Patwary are scheduled to attend the Chattogram divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Laldighi Maidan on Saturday.