Renowned economist Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya asserts that Bangladesh’s proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 will only achieve successful recovery if it addresses the needs of ordinary citizens. Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka, Bhattacharya emphasized the necessity of reducing food costs for the general population, increasing real income, and generating new employment opportunities. He stated that GDP growth alone is insufficient for a meaningful recovery. The discussion, titled “National Budget 2026-27: What’s There for Vulnerable People?”, focused on the budget’s provisions for those most in need. Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and convener of the Citizen’s Platform, highlighted the importance of inclusive growth. He suggested that without improvements in the economic well-being of the common people, the budget’s recovery goals will remain unrealized.