The last fiscal year saw 96 percent implementation of the annual development programme (ADP), the highest in 17 years.
In fiscal 2012-13, some Tk 50,026 crore was spent off the allocation of Tk 52,366 crore for ADP. Of the amount, Tk 13,768 crore was expended in the month of June alone, the last month of the fiscal year.
In contrast, the average spending in the first 11 months stood at Tk 3,296 crore, according to statistics from the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Department.
M Hafizuddin Khan, adviser to a former caretaker government, however, feels the figures might flatter to deceive. “There may have been jugglery of figures to depict the high implementation rate,” he told The Daily Star.
“The high spending by ministries and divisions for ADP looks good on paper, but what is to be seen is how much physical progress the projects have achieved.”
The fact that a good part of the spending was left to the latter part of the fiscal year, however, does not bode well, he said.
“Typically, high spending at that time of the year tends to be rushed and the quality of work not so good. In short, it leads to wastes.”
The implementation of foreign-aided projects was higher in fiscal 2012-13, which, Zahid Hussain, lead economist of World Bank, credits for the better implementation record.
“The result was better simply because the Economic Relations Division continuously monitored the projects.”
The foreign-aided project implementation stood at 91 percent last fiscal year, which was 84 percent in fiscal 2011-12.
Among the 10 large ministries and divisions, the power division spent 104 percent, which is more than its allocation. The roads division spent 100 percent and education ministry and water resources ministry both 98 percent of their allocations.
Meanwhile, some 14 ministries and divisions outside of the 10 large ones spent 100 to 304 percent of their allocations. The autonomous bodies, however, used up only 45 percent their allocations.
Of the total spending, 98 percent came from the government’s own fund, the same as in previous fiscal year.
In fiscal 2011-12, the ministries and divisions spent Tk 38,023 crore, which was 93 percent of the allocation.
The last time that ADP implementation hit 96 percent was back in fiscal 1995-96.
Source: The Daily Star
All this expenditure is for election and scattering public money for party and vested quarters interest. The next govt (if not AL) must scrutinize this squandering and misappropriation of public money and bring those responsible to book or that govt also will surely be damned like this one.