Dhaka, June 30 -- As part of the government's austerity drive, the Ministry of Finance has skipped this year's traditional post-budget dinner for MPs on the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saving around Tk 50 lakh.

"The traditional post-budget dinner was cancelled this year following the Prime Minister's directive as part of the government's austerity measures," said Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

He said the cancellation of this year's post-budget dinner saved the government approximately Tk 50 lakh.

Every year, the finance ministry hosts a dinner in the evening of the day when the national budget is passed in Parliament, attended by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, cabine...