Budget Helpdesk 2026 | CPD

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) successfully implemented Budget Helpdesk 2026 for the newly elected 13th National Parliament. With support from the European Union (EU) under the project Supporting the National Parliament, including Kick-starting the Bangladesh Institute of Parliamentary Studies (BIPS) for Strengthening the Law-making Process in the National Parliament, the initiative was designed to strengthen the budgetary oversight capacity of Members of Parliament (MPs).

Building on the success of previous Budget Helpdesk initiatives, the 2026 programme was redesigned to address the needs of the newly elected Parliament. As nearly two-thirds of the Members of Parliament were first-time MPs, the initiative aimed to equip them with the knowledge, technical assistance, and analytical support required to engage effectively in the national budget process and exercise informed parliamentary oversight.

Budget Helpdesk 2026 is implemented from mid-May to early July 2026, covering both the pre-budget preparation period and the parliamentary budget session. Through technical support, thematic debriefing sessions, orientation programmes, and real-time analytical assistance, the initiative strengthened evidence-informed parliamentary discussions on the national budget and public financial management (PFM).

Objectives

Budget Helpdesk 2026 had three primary objectives:

1. To provide technical support to newly elected MPs on critical issues related to macroeconomic management and the national budget preparation process.
2. To strengthen MPs’ understanding of public financial management (PFM), emerging fiscal and financial challenges, and sectoral priorities, including the national social protection system.
3. To familiarise newly elected MPs with the Rules of Procedure (RoP) and the roles and functions of key parliamentary committees responsible for financial oversight.

Implementation

The programme was structured to support MPs before and during the national budget session, with an initial focus on preparing newly elected Members for active participation in budget discussions. Through a series of orientation and debriefing sessions, MPs gained a practical understanding of parliamentary procedures, financial oversight mechanisms, and the national budget framework.

Four thematic debriefing sessions were organised on the following topics:

• Roles and Responsibilities of MPs under the Rules of Procedure (RoP)
• Functions of the Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Estimates, and Committee on Public Undertakings
• National Budget: Revenue, Expenditure, and the Budget Preparation Process
• Introduction of Bills: Private Members’ Bills and Government Bills

These sessions familiarised MPs with parliamentary practices, committee functions, and the institutional framework governing public finance, enabling them to participate more confidently in legislative and budgetary deliberations.

Orientation Session

A day-long orientation programme was organised for Budget Helpdesk staff and relevant officials to strengthen operational capacity and ensure effective coordination among the institutions involved in the initiative. The programme focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of the national budget process, documentation of MPs’ queries, report preparation, and the operational procedures of the Budget Helpdesk.

A separate orientation session was also organised for the Personal Assistants (PAs) of Members of Parliament to familiarise them with the Helpdesk’s services, query submission procedures, and available technical support. This enabled PAs to facilitate MPs’ requests efficiently throughout the budget session.

Inaugural Session

Budget Helpdesk 2026 was officially inaugurated by the Honourable Speaker of the National Parliament before the commencement of the budget session. The inauguration marked the launch of a dedicated technical support mechanism designed to assist Members of Parliament with timely information, analytical inputs, and evidence-based responses throughout the budget deliberations.

Budget Helpdesk Operations

During the budget session, the Budget Helpdesk operated through a dedicated team of economists, researchers, and budget specialists who provided real-time analytical support to Members of Parliament. The Helpdesk responded promptly to MPs’ budget-related queries by preparing ministry-specific briefing notes, providing budget data and sectoral analyses, and supplying evidence-based policy inputs to support parliamentary debates and discussions.

Budget Session Support

Throughout the parliamentary budget session, MPs received continuous support through a combination of real-time technical assistance and thematic knowledge-sharing activities.

Eight thematic debriefing sessions were organised on key fiscal and development issues, including:

• National Budget and Budget Preparation Process: Revenue Budget, Development Budget, and Charged Expenditure
• Bangladesh’s Macroeconomic Scenario, National Budget FY2026–27, and Revenue Goals
• Finance Bill, Appropriation Bill, Demands for Grants, and Cut Motions
• Social Protection Schemes, including the Family Card and related initiatives
• Roles and Responsibilities of MPs in Financial Procedures
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and LDC Graduation: Fiscal, Budgetary, and Debt Management Implications
• Roles and Responsibilities of the Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Estimates, and Committee on Public Undertakings
• Local Government Institutions: Budgetary Allocation at Different Administrative Tiers

These sessions enabled MPs to better understand the policy implications of major economic developments and strengthened their ability to scrutinise budget proposals from both national and sectoral perspectives.

Technical Support During the Budget Session

A defining feature of Budget Helpdesk 2026 was its provision of real-time analytical support throughout the parliamentary budget session. The dedicated technical team provided:

• Immediate responses to budget-related queries from MPs
• Ministry-specific briefing notes
• Budget data and analytical support
• Sector-specific information for parliamentary debates
• Evidence-based policy inputs on fiscal and macroeconomic issues

This timely support enabled MPs to participate in parliamentary discussions with greater confidence and stronger evidence-based arguments.

Publications

As part of the initiative, Budget Helpdesk 2026 prepared and disseminated a series of ministry-specific briefing notes and analytical materials to support parliamentary budget discussions. A total of 18 budget briefs published in both Bangla and English provided concise analyses of sectoral budget allocations, fiscal priorities, and key policy issues, enabling Members of Parliament to make informed contributions during budget debates.

Impact of Budget Helpdesk

Budget Helpdesk 2026 significantly strengthened the capacity of Members of Parliament to engage in informed and evidence-based discussions on the national budget. A total of 141 individuals, representing different political parties, received information and analytical support through the Helpdesk.

Through technical assistance, analytical support, orientation programmes, and thematic debriefing sessions, MPs enhanced their understanding of public financial management, macroeconomic challenges, and sectoral budget priorities.

The initiative contributed to more substantive parliamentary debates by improving MPs’ access to reliable information and timely analysis. It also strengthened Parliament’s oversight role by enabling Members to scrutinise budget proposals more effectively, raise evidence-based questions, and contribute meaningfully to discussions on fiscal policy and public expenditure. Overall, Budget Helpdesk 2026 reinforced transparency, accountability, and evidence-informed decision-making within Bangladesh’s parliamentary budget process.