Political ‘ease’ has not impacted development

The political ‘ease’ post-parliamentary election following a year of unrest has not reflected on the implementation of country’s annual development programme (ADP).

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said this at a views-exchange meeting in Dhaka on Sunday, adding that 21 percent of the ADP had been implemented in first five months of the current fiscal year, beginning July 1.

The implementation rate was 20 percent in the same period last financial year, which was marked by widespread violence induced by trials of war criminals and ruling Awami League’s move to hold national elections under its administration.

The minister, however, defended the ADP implementation rate arguing that it tended to be low in the first half of every FY.

“Development works are done throughout the year. But the contractors submit bills towards the end of the FY. That’s why most of the bills are paid in the last three months of the FY.”

“As we calculate the implementation rate based on payment, it goes up in the last three months. This has been happening for long.”

The minister said ADP implementation rate was below 60 percent in the first nine months of the 2013-14 FY, but touched 95 percent at the end of the year.

He said the political situation remained ‘clam’ for the last one year and thanked those who contributed to it.

“Economy is affected the most by political unrest, shutdowns and blockades. A calm environment is very important for the economy,” he said.

Kamal said he would add a ‘new dimension’ to ADP implementation from the next FY.

“A project will be monitored after being divided into many small segments. This will help judge which segment is in problem. The money allocated to the projects not going well will then be diverted to the projects showing better progress,” he said.

The ADP size for the current fiscal has been estimated at Tk 750.8 billion, of which Tk 260.7 billion is in foreign aid.

The official status report says Tk 150.8 billion was spent during July-November, out of which Tk 100.1 billion was from local funds.

During this period, 15 ministries and departments spent less than 10 percent of their allotments.

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