Dhaka, June 3 -- Even as the interim government vows to rein in spending by cutting development funds, its proposed budget for FY2025-26 includes fresh allocations for civil servants under "special benefits", a move economists are calling "questionable" in the face of growing fiscal pressure.

The proposed budget outlines a deficit of Tk 2.26 trillion, which equals 3.62 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled the Tk 7.90 trillion budget at 3pm on Monday-Tk 70 billion less than last year's original plan.

Still, the proposal marks a 6.18 percent increase from the revised budget of Tk 7.44 trillion and represents 12.65 percent of GDP.

By contrast, the outgoing fiscal year's revised budget was equ...