Pay scale may fuel inflation: Zahed

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said there is a risk of inflation increasing slightly due to the pay scale for government employees.

He made these remarks at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday. He added that the government and Bangladesh Bank (BB) will try to control inflation.

Zahed noted that the salaries of many senior government officials, through increments over time, have reached close to the new pay scale. After the implementation of the new pay scale, their salaries will not increase very much.

He added, “Many have the question - a lot of money will reach the hands of people, where will the government meet such expenses from? We will say, expenses will increase, and for that, the government has a budget.”

Mentioning that there is a fear of rising inflation, Zahed said BB will try to control inflation, and the government will also try beyond that.

He pointed, “We are trying to provide benefits to poor people amidst inflation. We have family cards, and we are trying to prepare a list by taking various steps. When this reaches 40 lakh families, by calculation, this money will reach the poorest two crore people every month.

“The scope of food support programs and the sale of TCB products have also been greatly expanded. This is how we will be able to support poor people. If the power crisis reduces, it will increase our investment and reduce people’s suffering.”