Dhaka: Cross section of people today gave mixed reactions to the Taka 2, 22,491 crore budget proposal for 2013-14 fiscal year as most of them echoed same view of containing essentials' prices.

Paying no attention to the big investments for high growth in the proposed budget, they said the budget should reflect well-being of common people.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith unveiled the national budget on Thursday.

Hasan Al Mamun, trader of a tea stall at Purana Paltan, said he saw the budget in two ways -- increased budgetary allocation for Padma Bridge and keeping prices of commodities especially rice and pulse stable.

"I want to see the best use of foreign aid to meet the budget deficit, reflecting welfare of lower middle class," he said.

Mohammad Mahbub, a rickshaw puller, expressed his ignorance about the budget saying that what is that?

Another rickshaw puller named Lokman said the budget does not carry any message for the poor people. He came down heavily on hartal and blockade saying that hartal and anarchy hit them hard and might put the budget implementation at risk.

Ferdowsi Islam Bristy, a second year student of Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College & Hospital, said she did not go through the budget but expected highest priority to building a 'Digital Bangladesh' as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bristy seems to be happy about the proposed rise in prices of cigarettes but she was critical about proposed rise in potato chips price saying that now she would have to have one pack of chips instead of two a day.

Abdul Quddus, owner of a small restaurant, said the budget might not be helpful for the large section of people.

M Salim Gazi, a clothing trader, said he did not think yet about the budget. He was unhappy about the rise in prices of cigarettes.

A senior journalist on condition of anonymity described the budget proposal as election-oriented one.

Ends/AMA/07/06/13