Dhaka, June 21 (UNB) – Taking part in discussion on the next national budget in Parliament Thursday, the treasury bench members voiced their firm resolve to make sure that Bangladesh emerges as a mid-income economy by 2021.

Fazilutennessa Bappi praised the government initiatives to bring down the prices of essentials including rice and keep the economy stable despite global economic recession.

Citing positive economic indexes, she said the country will emerge as a food surplus country by 2013 attaining self-sufficiency in food due to increased subsidy in the agriculture sector.

Another treasury bench member, Khan Tipu Sultan said Awami League will ensure the victory of Boat, the party’s election symbol, in the next general election by implementing the national budget for 2012-13.

He suggested withdrawal of tax at source from mobile phones proposed by Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech.

Maj Gen (retd) Abdus Salam said the power load shedding could be tackled effectively if the “pilferage of electricity could be checked.”

He also suggested applying strict law and order measures in all spheres and bringing the law breakers to justice.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas painted a rosy picture of production of fish and poultry products, saying that the country will soon meet the deficit of fish.

He said the government has purchased 80 kit detectors to detect formalin in fishes and take action against the dishonest fish traders.

Biswas urged the Finance Minister to protect the domestic powder milk factories by taking necessary measures against the imported powdered milk.