Lack of feasibility studies delays ADP
Most of the ministries prepare projects without proper feasibility study and technical design, which increases the cost of projects and delays their implementation, according to a report of the planning ministry.
The report was placed at the review meeting on the annual development programme (ADB) chaired by Planning Minister MA Mannan at the National Economic Council yesterday.
Some ministries and divisions prepare a report through an internal meeting that they include as feasibility study in the detailed project plan, according to the report.
The projects have to be revised frequently due to changing design, incorporation of new component, lengthy process of land acquisition and cost increase, it said.
Besides, the ministries initially start with a small-scale project and later add new components, which delay the project’s implementation.
Mannan expressed resentment that some projects have to be turned back more than twice for revision.
“It is not really a healthy practice to revise a project for thrice,” he said, while calling for a list of the frequently revised projects.
Mannan said project activities will now be monitored by way of closed circuit cameras in project sites.
“We will closely monitor the activities regardless of whether the project director is present or not.”
A quarterly review meeting will be organised to ensure cent percent implementation of ADP, he said.
He will visit the projects’ site to get a first-hand account of the implementation work.
The meeting reviewed ADP implementation of last fiscal year.
Of the 58 ministries and divisions, 32 ministries used up 90 to 100 percent of their ADP allocation, 19 managed 70 to 89 percent, three 50 to 69 percent and four less than 50 percent.
Besides, the line ministries could not spend Tk 9,966 crore, of which Tk 4,934 crore was of the government’s own fund.
The report said 10 ministries and divisions could not even spend Tk 100 crore. However, many ministries were not allocated funds due to scarcity of resources though they had the capability to use them.
