The Parliament on Tuesday passed the national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 through voice vote.

The total Tk9.38 lakh crore annual expenditure outlined in the budget is Tk1.48 lakh crore more than the expenditure endorsed for the outgoing fiscal year 2025-26.

The nearly 19% growth is reportedly the highest in the country’s history. However, the budget also has a huge Tk2.43 lakh crore deficit, which the government plans to make up for with loans from foreign sources and local banks.

The new national budget would come into effect from 1 July, which marks the start of the fiscal year 2026-27.

The health sector has got the biggest ever budgetary allocation, and also the biggest year-on-year increase in spending target.

However, critics have pointed that the long-standing issue of underutilisation of funds, owing to inefficiency and corruption, could impede intended outcomes.

The government’s National Economic Council (NEC) has already approved Tk3.09 lakh crore for the Annual Development Programme (ADP).