The government has finalised an Annual Development Program (ADP) amounting to over Tk 1.23 trillion for the upcoming 2016-17 fiscal year.
The plan lays emphasis on the transport sector that includes the Padma Bridge project.
The ADP proposal got the government nod on Tuesday at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
The transport sector has been given the highest priority, keeping the need to improve connectivity and the construction of the vital Tk 60 billion Padma river bridge in mind.
The total outlay proposed for the transport sector in the ADP is a whopping Tk 285 billion.
Later, briefing the press, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that the Planning Commission had originally proposed an ADP worth Tk 1.09 trillion for the 2016-17 financial year, but the prime minister permitted a hike of Tk 15 billion in response to the demands from different ministries.
Of the Tk 1.23 trillion, the main ADP amount currently stands at a little over Tk 1.10 trillion.
Income from autonomous organisations and corporations has been estimated to be Tk 126 billion.
Mustafa Kamal said the prime minister had agreed to pump in an additional Tk 30 billion into the power sector because of the expenditure being incurred towards the construction of various power projects.
In reply to a question, he said, “The prime minister has issued some guidelines. An individual cannot be the director of multiple projects, and all project directors must be in his project area.”
“Projects that have been dragging for ears, or are half-done, or demand changes after a brief spell of work shall be declared completed, the prime minister has directed,” the minister said.
A total of 1,141 projects have been identified for completion during the next financial year.
These include 1,001 investment projects, 133 technological assistance and seven Japanese debt remission projects.
After transport, the education sector has bagged the second highest allocation amounting to Tk 145 billion.
The power sector has bagged Tk 125 billion, while rural development been allotted Tk 82 billion.
The minister said the additional allocation has been spread out across various departments.
Source: bd news24
