The implementation of annual development programme hit six-year low at 13 per cent in the first four months of the current fiscal year mainly because of low progress in large projects.
Planning ministry officials said that ministries with higher ADP allocations failed to make any progress in large projects in July-October resulting in worst ADP performance in two terms of the Awami League-led government.
On the other hand, the development projects implementation ministries and divisions could yet to come out from usual slow progress status in the first few months of the fiscal year mainly because of inefficiency of agencies in utilising resources particularly foreign funds.
There are some traditional problems including delay in land requisition, appointment of project officials, procurement of goods and services, and fund release by foreign lenders in implementation, they added.
According to Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the planning ministry, 55 government ministries and divisions responsible for execution of development projects could spend only Tk 10,438 crore or 13 per cent of total allocation of Tk 80,315 crore for entire fiscal year.
In the period, the government and international lenders and development partners released Tk 14,024 crore or 27 per cent of total allocation, IMED data showed.
Out of 55 ADP implementing agencies, Anti Corruption Commission and the foreign ministry could not spend any money in the period while 16 ministries and division spent below 10 per cent of their respective allocation for the year, the data showed.
The earlier lowest progress in ADP implementation in the same period was 12 per cent in the FY 2008-2009.
In July-October period of last five years, the government agencies implemented 15 per cent in the FY 2013-2014, 20 per cent in the FY 2012-2013, 15 per cent in the FY 2011-2012, 14 per cent in the FY 2010-2011 and 16 per cent in the FY 2009-2010, the data showed.
Officials said that ministries and division which got around 70 per cent of total allocation for the year could utilise only 14 per cent in the period.
Of which, Railway Division spent only 8 per cent, Power Division spent 11 per cent, Bridges Division and Road Transport and Highways Division, and housing and public works ministry spent 10 per cent each while health and family welfare ministry utilise 12 per cent of allocation.
Officials attributed the lower progress in the ADP implementation to slow progress in some mega projects including Padma Multipurpose Bridge, metro rail and nuclear power plants.
According to the IMED data, the agencies in the July-October period spent Tk 7, 862 crore or 15 per cent of government fund and Tk 2,576 crore or 9 per cent of foreign loans and grants as project assistance.
-With New Age input
