Gobindganj municipality has declared an open budget of Tk 56,89,86,400 for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

Daily Bijoy News Gaibandha Correspondent:

Gaibandha's Gobindganj Municipality has announced an open budget of 56 crore 89 lakh 86 thousand 400 rupees for the fiscal year 2024-2025, covering development and revenue income. The budget allocates 56 crore 85 lakh 70 thousand taka for development and revenue expenditure, with a projected surplus of 4 lakh 16 thousand 400 taka. On Saturday, July 6, 2024, the open budget announcement ceremony was held at the municipal hall. Alhaj Chairman Abul Kalam Azad, Member of Parliament for Gaibandha-4 Constituency and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare and Relief Ministry, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

During his speech, the chief guest emphasized that this municipality serves as the core of 17 unions within Gobindganj upazila. He urged the mayor and councilors to devise a cohesive plan, incorporating feedback from diverse segments of society, and to enhance its implementation. This, he stressed, would pave the way for building a developed, prosperous, modern, and exemplary municipality, alleviating the hardships faced by its residents. Extending his best wishes for the implementation of the announced budget, he pledged ongoing cooperation towards fostering a drug-free municipality. He emphasized the prioritization of sports, health, education, and entertainment in achieving comprehensive development goals.

Municipal Mayor and member of the District Awami League Mukitur Rahman Rafi chaired the event, while Panel Mayor and Councilor of the 5th Ward, Alhaj Shahin Akandar, participated as a special guest. Upazila Parishad Chairman Lecturer Shakil Akand Bulbul also graced the occasion.

Leaders from the Upazila Awami League, including Vice Chairman MA Matin Mollah and Women Vice Chairman Papia Roy Pakhi, along with all ward councilors, union chairmen, Principal Ahsan Habib Prince of Gobindganj Women's College, representatives from the Municipal Business Association, and various educators spoke, among others. The audience also included teachers, informed citizens, municipal officials, and journalists.

Prior to the event, the chief guest was welcomed with flower petals at the main gate of the municipality. Subsequently, he was presented with a bouquet of flowers. Similarly, the newly elected Upazila Parishad Chairman and Vice Chairman were also honored in a similar manner.

At the start of the budget announcement ceremony, the municipal mayor presented the 2024-2025 budget book to the chief guest, who then delivered a speech outlining the budget statement. Key allocations in the upcoming fiscal year include:

• Tk 28 crore for road and bridge construction/renovation
• Tk 15 crore for drain construction/renovation
• Tk 50 lakh for sanitation/tubewell installation
• Tk 1.5 crore for religious/educational institution development
• Tk 15 lakh for mosquito control activities
• Tk 4.5 crore for road lighting and procurement of electrical goods
• 1.5 lakhs in financial aid (education, health, medical and relief) among support programs; 6 lakh taka for the honorarium of imams. Salaries and Allowances of Officers/Employees in Establishment Expenditure Statement- 2.5 Crores; 50 lakhs for transfer of money to pleasure and future fund and 25 lakhs for honorarium of Mayor/Councillor. 25 lakhs spent on various national days and other days in public service works; 20 lakhs for humanitarian assistance and 30 lakhs spent on small projects for development financing. Gobindganj Municipality, established in 1998, spans an area of 38.47 square kilometers. Presently, it is home to 40,201 residents across its nine wards in this first-class municipal zone.

           Daily Bijoy News/  Sajadur Rahman Saju