Planning ministry against keeping back low-priority projects
The look ministry has expressed dissatisfaction over a decision to put up carry implementation of low-priority projects.
"It could delay the implementation of the assignments and the price tag on the projects increase," stated Md Ashadul Islam, senior secretary to the planning division.
The implementing ministries and divisions also opposed the move and expressed disappointment, he said.
Islam made the responses while briefing reporters following the assembly of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday.
"It isn't clear in what basis the finance division categorised the reduced priority tasks," he said.
The implementing ministries and divisions are facing problem because they cannot pay bills to contractors because the finance ministry isn't disbursing funds against the projects, said Islam.
The finance ministry is, however, disbursing the salaries and allowances for the officials of the projects, he said.
In July, the finance ministry made a decision to put on contain the implementation of low-priority development jobs involving Tk 40,000 crore to release funds for the effective sectors.
The amount makes up about about 20 % of the Tk 205,145 crore twelve-monthly advancement programme for the existing fiscal year.
The government has been forced to delay the execution of the low-priority projects amid the drastic fall in earnings collection due to the coronavirus pandemic and within its belt-tightening measures.
The finance division has formulated the criteria for the ministries to recognize the low-priority projects.
The requirements would render a project to be of low-priority if it's slow-moving, has completion deadline of six to seven years and is construction-related. The argument is certainly that if the jobs are pushed again by six months or a yr, it could not cause a lot of a issue for the country.
The projects beneath the ADP have already been categorised as high, moderate and low-priority to guarantee the best usage of limited resources, the finance division said in a circular in July.
If the utilization of funds for a medium-priority project is regarded as incredibly necessary, the ministries and division would spend money under their consideration. Even so, avoidable expenses must be identified, it said.
A good finance ministry official said the arrangement was non permanent and was earned due to the shortfall in revenue collection. The decision will be reviewed within a short while.
The Ecnec yesterday approved five projects, like the first revision of a project to determine 40 technical training centres in 40 upazilas and one Institute of Marine Technology in Chattogram at a combined cost of Tk 2,597.40 crore.
The Bureau of Manpower Career and Teaching (BMET) is implementing the project to create jobs for the unemployed by growing skills through training. The project can help improve the productivity of industries and improve product quality.
According to the revised deadline, the job will be implemented simply by June 30, 2022. The cost of the project increased to Tk 1,667.07 crore from the Tk 1,331.29 crore in the beginning set aside.
The implementing entity demanded additional funds as the territory requirement had not been included when the project was approved.
The expense of the project rose as a result of the delay in terrain selection and acquisition. The expenditure can be increasing as the Public Works Division estimated the construction are per the fee of 2014 rather than 2017.
The Ecnec approved the "Hilsa Resource Creation and Operations" project involving Tk 246.28 crore to boost the production of the popular fish and guard mother hilsa and hilsa fries.
The project includes running and management of six sanctuaries, creating alternative jobs for 30,000 fishing families and providing valid nets to 10,000 fishermen. The Section of Fisheries will put into action the project.
The meeting approved incorporating 25 beds for older people in eight shelters for childreninvolving Tk 73.98 crore. The conveniences will accommodate neglected elderly people besides children.
The homes will be constructed in Tungipara of Gopalganj, Lalmonirhat Sadar, Shambhuganj in Mymensingh, Sunamganj Sadar, Maijdee in Noakhali, Baya in Rajshahi, Maheshwarpasha in Khulna and Sagardi in Barishal.
The two other new projects are "Upgrading Digpait-Sarishabari-Tarakandi Road of Jamalpur" involving Tk 376.56 crore and the construction of the Border Safeguard of Bangladesh's 73 modern observation posts in border areas for Tk 233.52 crore.
Primary Minister Sheikh Hasina, Financing Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and Setting up Minister MA Mannan joined the appointment through videoconferencing from Gono Bhaban even though other Ecnec members linked from the NEC auditorium.
