UNB, Dhaka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her new government wants maximum implementation of the annual development programme (ADP), maintaining standard quality, for development of socioeconomic condition and physical infrastructure.
She made the remarks at the maiden meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday after her assumption of office as the head of government.
Held at the National Economic Council (NEC) Bhaban at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 3pm, the meeting approved three projects involving a total outlay of Tk 847 crore, including one revised project on physical infrastructure and socioeconomic sectors.
The three approved projects are – buying a dredger at a cost of Tk 170 crore for development of river routes, Public University Development Project (Tk 444 crore) and the 1st phase of Infrastructural and Qualitative Development of University Education with involvement of Tk 233 crore (revised).
Planning Minister AK Khandaker apprised reporters of the outcome of the ECNEC meeting at a post-meeting briefing.
“The Prime Minister said maximum projects of the ADP will have to be implemented as well as the standard quality of works has to be maintained,” the Planning Minister told the briefing session.
He said despite slow pace in implementing the current ADP, adopted by the just-past caretaker government, the present government is hopeful about implementation of 85-95 percent of the total development budget by April-May. Asked whether the government has any plan to revise the ADP as a new government has taken charge, Khandaker said most of the projects would continue as it is, but, if necessary, minor changes may come in implementation for ensuring good quality. “But there is no chance of stopping or bringing change in those projects which have been implemented 90 percent so far,” he said.
Khandaker said the current ADP includes 904 projects. Of these projects, 857 are approved and 35 of these have been approved by the ECNEC during the July-December period with involvement of Tk 14,452 crore.
Asked about government’s priority sector for development, Khandaker said as described in the ADP, the agriculture sector would get the top-most priority.
Courtesy: nation.ittefaq.com
