The second wave has not been considered in preparation of the budgetary numbers and thus, in general, all projections for FY2021-22 are on the higher side. Relevant budgetary figures show that FY2020-21 was a better than FY2019-20 – which is not supported by other evidence.
The ongoing pandemic has, undoubtably, adversely impacted every citizen of Bangladesh. However, this impact is disproportionately higher among the marginalised and disadvantaged communities. As such, specific and rightly directed policies need to be implemented for these vulnerable groups. Employment being restored with low skills and low-income jobs, extensive under-employment, growing indebtedness and deepening inequality have been on the rise during the second wave.
