The national budget should be formulated in consultation with the Opposition and other quarters concerned.

This was the view of 80 4 per cent of the respondents in a survey conducted in the city by the Centre for Sustainable Development(CFSD). an NGO working in the field of mass communication

The survey further said only 19.5 per cent thought that the government alone should formulate the budget.

The survey was conducted among 100 men and women of different professions living in Pallabi. Uttara. Juralne. Badda. Shyamoli,' Dhanmondi. Ka malapur. Kamrangtrchar. Chawkbazar and Khllgaon areas jecently.

In the survey, eight questions were asked on the formulation of the budget, privatisation of the state-owned industrial units, foreign aid. import duties, subsidies and budget speech of the Finance Minister.

Prof Alnun Nishat of the Engineering University and Dr AK Enamul Haq of the Open University participated in the survey as experts.

According to the findings of the survey. 73.2 per cent of those questioned maintained that the government funds for the education, health and other public welfare sectors should be increased.

On the question of privatisation. 55.7 per cent supported the government move to dlsin-vest while 44.3 per cent said the profit-making nationalised industrial units should not be privatised

The government should let the people know the conditionalities of the foreign aid. according to 75.3 per cent of those questioned while 24.7 per cent said conditional aid or debt should not be accepted.

The survey, further says 66.6 per cent fearei ’>”■ 'sxes on the imported luxury Kerns would rise while 33.4 per cent thought the existing policy in this regard would continue.

Regarding the value added tax (VAT). 50.8 per cent of the respondents said lack of understanding about the system has caused dissatisfaction and 48.8 per cent thought the VAT system should be made sim pier.

Subsidy in the agriculture sector should be increased, said 36.4 per cent while 34.5 per cent say the subsidy should be decided in accordance with the need.

Of the respondents in the survey. 62.7 per cent suggested that the budget speech of the finance minister should . be brief and simple while 37.3 | per cent favoured budget speech, as delivered in the past.