November 12, 2024, 2:35 am


Ariful Islam

Published:
2024-10-29 21:06:39 BdST

Jul-Sep ADP spending hits historic low


The implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) has reached a historic low in the first three months of the current fiscal year amidst the ongoing political turmoil.

In the July-September period of the 2024-25 financial year, only Tk13,215.30 crore or 4.75% of the total ADP allocation was spent, according to a report from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) released on Monday.

The report reveals a significant decline in the ADP execution compared to the previous two fiscal years, when the ADP implementation stood at 7.50% in FY24 and 8.55% in FY23 during the correspondent period.

This is the lowest ADP implementation recorded to date based on the IMED data available since FY11.

The current fiscal year’s ADP allocation was set at approximately Tk2.78 lakh crore.

The slow progress in the implementation is attributed to several reasons, including inadequate preparatory work, political unrest and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August.

During the July-September period, only Tk6,633 crore or 4.02% was spent from public funds, which was also a record low for the first three months of any fiscal year. Last year, Tk12,537 crore was spent during the same period.

On the other hand, Tk5,360 crore or 5.36% was spent in July-September of the current fiscal year from the allocation of the foreign aid sector, while Tk7,500 crore or 7.98% was spent from foreign funds in the last fiscal year.

Energy and Mineral Resources Division achieved the highest implementation rate of 18.73% during the period.

It was followed by Cabinet Division at 15.20%, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division at 14.51%, IMED at 14.31%, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division at 11.77%, Ministry of Labour and Employment at 11.76% and Posts and Telecommunications Division at 11.67%.

On the other hand, several ministries and divisions have reported zero progress. These include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice Division and Health Education and Family Welfare Division.

Additionally, those at the lower tier include the Ministry of Water Resources, Bridge Division, Chief Adviser’s Office, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Security Services Division, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Internal Resources Division, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Land.

IMED Secretary Abul Kashem Md Mohiuddin described the ADP implementation in the first three months of the current fiscal as the lowest in history.

Due to the recent government transition, project activities are moving slowly, he said, adding that ongoing projects are under review and non-essential projects are being eliminated, leading to the reduced ADP implementation.

Furthermore, heavy rains in many areas have prevented progress, which is another reason for the delay in the ADP implementation, the secretary mentioned.

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