Coming down heavily on the opposition, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday questioned whether they were protesting the proposed national budget due to the increased taxes on cigarettes and alcohol despite tax relief on essential commodities.

Addressing a public rally organised by Cox’s Bazar district BNP at the Chakaria Municipal Bus Terminal, the Prime Minister said this was the first time that prices of essential goods were not increased immediately after the budget was placed in Parliament.

“Every year, prices of various essential items used to rise the day after the budget was presented. But Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, this is the first time that no commodity price has increased in the market after the budget was announced the day before yesterday (Thursday)," he said.

The Prime Minister said in the budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027, taxes on essential goods such as rice, lentils, oil, sugar and salt were withdrawn to ensure price stability and give relief to the general people.

Highlighting the withdrawal and cuts of taxes on different essentials, medicines and healthcare-related products, he said the budget will benefit the people of the country. “We have reduced taxes on medicines and essential goods so that people can live in peace and comfort,” he said.

Without naming any political party, Tarique Rahman said several parties protested against the budget immediately after its presentation, both on the streets and on social media, terming it an “anti-people budget.”

He said procession was brought out protesting the budget even before the placement of it in Parliament.  

Referring to the tax increase on cigarettes and alcohol, the Prime Minister questioned the basis of the opposition’s protests, asking whether those chanting slogans such as “we do not accept this budget” are against the hike in taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.

“So, should we assume that they are not accepting the tax on cigarettes and alcohol? Are they protesting the tax increase on alcohol and also protesting against the tax hike on cigarettes?” he said.

Tarique Rahman said his government wants to improve the fate of the people of the country by implementing the proposed budget, alleging that the political parties were attempting to mislead the people by protesting the budget.

Referring to the allegation of the “sale of tickets for heaven” against a certain party as surfaced before the February 12 general election, he said they now do not sell tickets to people. “Earlier, they used to sell tickets to people before the election. Do they still do that now? No,” he said.

The Prime Minister said they do not have the power or authority to sell such tickets. “They only wanted to deceive people and take their votes. They wanted to mislead the people,” he said.

About the Family Card programme, he the BNP government will gradually provide every mother and sister with the cards in line with its electoral manifesto.

In the fiscal year 2026-2027, some 42 lakh families – 8,000-10,000 families in each upazila—will be brought under the Family Card programme as the allocation was kept in the proposed budget in this regard, Tarique Rahman said.

Besides, he said some 40 lakh Farmers’ Cards will be distributed among the farmers, including salt cultivators, in the coming fiscal year. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister announced plans to upgrade the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway into a four-to-six-lane corridor, describing it as a vital route for the economic development of the region.

While addressing the rally, he said the road had remained largely unchanged for decades despite its growing importance. “On the way from the airport, I asked Salahuddin Ahmed where this straight road leads to. He told me that it goes all the way to Chattogram. I then told him that the road looks almost the same as it did 25 years ago when I last saw it,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said he believes the highway is strategically important for the region’s future economic growth.

“This road is extremely important and will play a significant role in the economic development of this region. It should be at least four to six lanes wide. We will begin work on it very soon, Insha-Allah. The Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway will be upgraded to four to six lanes,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing importance of Cox’s Bazar in the national economy, noting that the Matarbari Deep Sea Port will become operational soon.

“We have already approved the expansion of the Anwara-Patiya-Banshkhali road. We will also widen that road, Insha-Allah,” he said.

Tarique Rahman arrived at the rally venue around 7:30pm after inaugurating the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila and police station. Thousands of party leaders, activists and supporters attended the rally.

Explaining the delay in reaching the programme, the Prime Minister said large numbers of people gathered along the route from Cox’s Bazar airport to greet him.

“You have been waiting for a long time. We were supposed to arrive in the afternoon. But after landing at the airport, I saw people standing every half mile along the road. I had to greet them and wave at them. Otherwise, they would have felt disappointed,” he said.

Referring to salt farmers in the region, Tarique Rahman said he has recently read newspaper reports that many salt producers were not receiving fair prices for their produce.

“I immediately instructed officials to sit together and find a way to ensure that salt farmers receive proper prices for their produce. Insha-Allah, within the next few days we will fix a price so that salt farmers get fair value for what they produce,” he said.

The Prime Minister thanked the people of Cox’s Bazar for repeatedly voting for BNP candidates whenever elections were held in a free and fair manner.

Every upazila health complex will be expanded to 100 beds

Tarique Rahman announced that all 50-bed upazila health complexes across the country will gradually be upgraded to 100-bed facilities.

“We have allocated funds in the budget so that every upazila health complex in Bangladesh can be transformed into a 100-bed hospital. This will allow people in villages and upazilas to receive proper healthcare services without having to travel to Chattogram or Dhaka,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Shamima Ara Begum Shapna, MP, also addressed the rally, while Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, different ministers, state ministers and local MPs were present.