Whose income increase? Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today alleged that the real income of the country’s 90% people has marked a fall but the government has been showing a 'hoaxed' GDP growth to hide its failure to control the price hike of essentials.

"It’s horrible that the lives of people have become miserable due to the rise in commodity prices. But the government is denying it outright. Ministers are saying that the prices have gone up with the rise in their (people's) incomes," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government has been trying to fool people by talking about GDP growth and the rise in per capita income.

"Whose income has increased? They (govt) show a hoaxed GDP. What's GDP? GDP is calculated by adding up all things, including that comes from production,” said Fakhrul, also a former teacher of economics.

Swadhinata Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the first death anniversary of late BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed.

On March 16 last year, Moudud Ahmed died while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital at the age of 81.

About the 'hoaxed' per capita income, Fakhrul said it is measured by dividing the nation’s total income with the country’s population. “For example, I earn Tk50,000 a month while my brother earns Tk5,000 a month. If you divide these incomes together, then the per capita income will be Tk25,000 But it’s not our real income.”

He said around 90% of people are earning lower than earlier while the poverty rate has risen by another 2% in the country.

Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League government has constituted the Election Commission to hold another election of fraud as they did earlier.

He warned that people will come up with strong resistance this time and thwart all evil plans of the ruling party.