Sangsad Bhaban, June 24 (UNB)- Treasury bench member Suranjit Sengupta today (Thursday) regretted that in the absence of the Finance Minister, no-one takes note of speeches delivered by the lawmakers in the general debate on the proposed national budget in Parliament.

Speaking on a point of order, Sengupta drew the attention of the Speaker and Deputy Leader of the House, and said usually the Finance Minister is present in the House during the general debate on the national budget.

If the minister can’t attend for any reason, then the state minister for finance attends, and if the state minister cannot, then the planning minister, and if the planning minister as well is unable to attend, then the finance secretary from the gallery takes notes, or the concerned NBR official takes notes, he told the House.

But Sengupta said he often observed that in the absence of the Finance Minister, no-one is taking any note of the general debate.

He said although the opposition is not attending parliament, the general debate on the budget is very important. The lawmakers during their budget discussions put across what they think would be good for enriching the budget to help the government.

Responding to the treasury bench member, Speaker Abdul Hamid agreed with his contention in principle and informed the House that the Finance Minister himself would have attended the session were he not abroad. .

He said someone may say that Parliament proceedings contained those but it is not good.

The Speaker hoped that the deputy leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, who was present at the House, would take necessary steps in this regard.