Despite improvement in Annual Development Programme (ADP) money disbursements In the first half of the current fiscal compared to the corresponding period of last year's, the Planning Commission has said that the scenario still looks dismal against targets set In the beginning of the year.

The Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Commission in a review has attributed the poor performance to slow pace tn project implementation, lack of initiative. excessive projects and inclusion of new ones in the original ADP. suspension of

credit agreement and absolute non-utilization of funds by the autonomous bodies and agencies.

According to the I MED, rates of achievement in financial and physical terms stand at only 27 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, which have been deemed very low despite the fact that ADP utilization goes slow in the early periods of the year.

The IMED says that a total of 40 high priority projects under 13 ministries and divisions have lagged behind, thus falling to vindicate the priorities of the government

The Planning Commission also points to the apathetic -it titud< of different ministries, divisions and departments which have not been compliant with the directive to hold monthly evaluation meetings.

The IMED review is meant for the members of the Cabinet

According to the IMED paper, only 27 per cent of the Taka 8650 crore ADP alloca tfon, which is Taka 2363 erore, has been spent during July December period. Of the spent money, Taka 1077 crore — 27 per cent — is in local currency and Taka 1286 crore—28 pw cent— from pro jert assistance

In a startling revelation, the IMED says that 15 ministries and divisions did not spend a single cent during the period Twenty eight ministries spent less than 27 per cent of the funds allocated to them

Of the 40 top priority projects selected earlier by the Cabinet for which Taka 940 crore was allocated, only Taka 616 crore was spent, giving a disbursement rale of only 66 per cent.

The IMED recommends that the government ask the defaulting ministries to give extra efforts to utilise the funds or else the money be di verted to more deserving pro jecU

The IMED reports that 30 agencies, who were given Taka

132 crore with Taka 25 crore project aid component, did not spend at all the money al located to them. And In the cases of 286 projects, for which allocations were to the tunc of Taka 006 crore tnclud Ing Taka 361 crore from pro ject aid. there had been abso iulely no progress in Implementing expenditure

Therefore, the Planning Commission suggests, a re evaluation Is needed lo ascertain the rationale behind allo eating money for these pro jects.

For 84 of these projects, foreign aid money was not made available, the IMED says

However, pace of project implementation by 16 ministries or divisions, which get major portion of ADP funds, has been found encouraging with a 82 per cent disbursement rate.

Of the Taka 8650 crore ADP outlay, Taka 7008 crore was given to these ministries and divisions —Taka 2917 crore In local currency and Taka 4091 crore in project aid

For the first six months, 36 per cent of the project aid— Taka 1453 crore—was allocated to thepi of which Taka 1 185 crore—82 per cent -

But the IMED insists that the disbursements are not satisfactory and should be expedited.