It was a different day for the people of Kaikhali union in Shyamnagar Upazila. Villagers at a day-long budget session yesterday discussed with local body leaders the Union Parishad's sources of income

and expenditure to ensure accountability and transparency.

Over 2500 enthusiastic people joined the open session, held on Kaikhali S Rahman High School premises.

The session, first of its kind in the area, was jointly organised by

Kaikhali Union Parishad and a local NGO- Agragati Sangstha-with financial assistant from Manusher Janney, another NGO.

Kaikhali UP Chairman GM Shah Jahan Siraj presided over the session and detailed how the current financial year's budget of Tk 2,30,731 was being spent. He also presented the budget of Tk 8,14,500 for the next financial year.

Romjan Nagore UP Chairman Alamgir Haidar was present as chief guest.

Agragati's Executive Director Abdus Sabur narrated the aim of the budget session.

Asit Bannerjee conducted the session.

Kaikhali UP chairman GM Shah Jahan Siraj replied to questions from villagers on the budget.

People of all sections including women attended the meeting and also gave suggestions.

The chief guest said, the budget session has been arranged to create awareness among people about their rights for establishing good governance.