Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- The government is weighing the possibility of downsizing the national budget and Annual Development Programme (ADP) as multiple fiscal and administrative challenges have emerged during implementation, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday.

After attending the meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dr Salehuddin told reporters that the government's original budget projections were made on a 'realistic and pragmatic' basis given the circumstances at the time of formulation.

"When we announced the budget, it was based on the realities and assumptions prevailing then. It was indeed realistic and ...