Dhaka Bureau: In the last five years, the Awami League government has approved development projects worth Tk 10 lakh, 37 thousand, and 754 crores. Out of this, an expenditure of Tk 6 lakh, 61 thousand, and 83 crore has been estimated from the government’s own funds. Apart from this, foreign financing will cost 3 lakh 57 thousand 230 crores and 19 thousand 440 crores from the organization’s own funds. As it is an election year, the majority of projects have been approved this year. But amid such a huge expenditure allocation, the target of the revised ADP (Annual Development Programme) could not be met in any financial year. In this case, only 1 lakh, 30 thousand, and 331 crores of revised ADP have been unspent in four financial years. This information was obtained from an account of the Ministry of Planning.
Regarding project approval, Planning Minister MA Mannan told the media that our government is a democratic government. There is a responsibility for the public. We will work for the people; that is natural. If you want to work for the people, you have to do it through development projects. We have approved the project based on that consideration. There was no political consideration here. The people of the country will judge whether we have done good or bad. In the next elections, people will think about who is developing and who is engaged in destructive activities. The Awami League always believes in development.
According to Ministry of Planning sources, a total of 99 meetings of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) have been held from 2019 to 2023. 909 projects were approved in these meetings held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Sheikh Hasina. Most of the projects are related to physical infrastructure. Besides, as it is an election year, a maximum of 248 projects have been approved in 2023. 24 Eknek meetings were held in 2019. 235 development projects have been approved. In addition, 180 projects were approved in 28 Eknek meetings in 2020. In 2021, 136 projects were approved in 15 Eknek meetings. 166 development projects have been approved in 18 ECNEC meetings held in 2022, and 248 development projects were approved in 14 ECNEC meetings until November 9, 2023.
According to the sources of the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Department (IMED), from the financial year 2019–20 to 2022–23, the revised ADP in favor of the ministries and departments was allocated 8 lakh, 66 thousand, and 655 crores. But the ministries and departments have managed to spend 7 lakh, 36 thousand, and 324 crores on various projects. 1 lakh, 30 thousand, and 331 crores remained unspent. After reviewing the report of IMED, it can be seen that the allocation in the revised ADP for the financial year 2022–23 was Tk 2 lakh 26 thousand 561 crore. 1 lakh 99 thousand 99 crores have been spent at the end of the financial year. 37 thousand 462 crores remained unspent. In addition, in the financial year 2021–22, the allocation was 2 lakh 19 thousand 603 crores, the expenditure was 2 lakh 3 thousand 648 crores, and the unspent was 15 thousand 955 crores. In the financial year 2020–21, the allocation was Tk 2 lakh 9 thousand 292 crore; Tk 1 lakh 71 thousand 836 crore was spent; and Tk 37 thousand 456 crore was not spent. In addition, in the fiscal year 2019-20, the allocation was Tk 2 lakh 1 thousand 199 crore; Tk 1 lakh 61 thousand 741 crore was spent; and Tk 39 thousand 454 crore was not spent.
IMED Secretary Abul Kashem. Mohiuddin told the media that most of the projects that have been approved in the current financial year will not start. It can be seen that the current fiscal year may not get the allocation. The government has approved more and more projects to ensure the continuity of development. Allotment will be given to these projects in the next financial year. In response to a question, he said that there should be accountability for the funds that ministries and departments cannot spend every fiscal year. However, in many cases, the implementation of the project is not done on time due to various practical reasons, including land acquisition, delays in the appointment of PD, and complications in the tender process.
