Implementation of the government's Annual Development Programme (ADP) faltered in the first quarter of fiscal 1997-98.

During July-September this fiscal year only 11 per cent of the ADP allocation was spent, down from 13 per cent during the corresponding period last year. In terms of taka, the amount was Tk 1382 crore.

Moreover. 32 per cent of the projects scheduled to be completed this fiscal year are likely to miss their target, spilling over to the next year.

The government had released Tk 1142 crore In local currency which is 15 per cent of the local currency component of the ADP. But only Tk 748 crore or 10 per cent was used by the implementing agencies, down from 13 per cent last year, leaving Tk 394 crore unutilised.

In project aid, Tk 634 crore

was spent, which is 12 per cent of the component as against 13 per cent last year.

According to Planning Commission, disbursement of money was the lowest this time In the last three years. In 1996-97. 19 per cent of the ADP outlay was disbursed in the first quarter and 21 per cent in 1995-

The ADP outlay for this fiscal year is Tk 12800 crore, of which Tk 7483 crore is in local currency and Tk 5317 crore in project aid.

According to statistics, five ministries, wings and divisions failed to use any of the allocated money in the first quarter of this fiscal year. Twenty three ministries, divisions and wings spent five per cent or less of their allocation. 30 spent eight per cent or less and 35 spent less than 11 per cent of their allocation.

Those who spent less than eight per cent of their allocation are: Rural Development and Cooperative Division (three per cent). Primary and Mass Education Directorate (five per cent). Post and Telecommunications Ministry (one per cent). Fisheries and Livestock subsector (five per cent). Livestock and Industiy ministries (five per cent). Information Ministry (two per cent). Defence Ministry (zero). Ministry of Religious Affairs (six per cent). Ministry of Science and Technology (two per cent). Cultural Affairs Ministry (four per cent). Establishment Ministry (five per cent). Ministry of Housing and Public Works (one per cent) and Prime Minister's office (five per cent).

The Planning Commission had identified 16 ministries and divisions as most important bodies regarding utillsa-

tion of the ADP allocation. These ministries get 85 per cent of total outlay.

These 16 nad also performed badly In the first quarter of this year. These ministries and divisions spent Tk 1311 crore or 12 per cent of their total allocation, down from Tk 1438 crore or 13 per cent for the corresponding period last year.

"The objective of identifying these ministries/divlsions as important, is being frustrated." the Planning Commission commented on their performance.

StatlsUcs show that four of the major ministries had utilised five per cent or less of their protect aid allocation, seven used eight per cent or less and only nine used 12 per cent or less of their allocation. Only seven ministries could use 12 per cent or more of their allocation.

Important among these are: Water Resources Ministry (eight per cent), Rural Development and Cooperative Division (five per cent). Primary and Mass Education Division (three per cent). Family Welfare Wing of Health anti Family Welfare Ministry (seven per cent). Post and Telecommunications Ministry (zero).

According to the approved project implementation schedule. 408 projects were supposed to be completed by June. 1998. But information supplied by the ministries and divisions concerned show that only 277 projects have been slated to be completed during this period. The rest 131 projects will now

spill over to 1998-99, delaying their completion by one year

The Planning Commission has suggested that steps have to be taken to complete all these 408 projects supposed to be completed this fiscal year as per the implementation schedule. If needed, their implementation programme will have to be revised and sufficient funds ensured in the ADP.

It was also found that 31 per cent of the projects in the ADP have^not^et been approved by

The Planning Commission has suggested that the ministries and divisions which are lagging behind the national average of spending should speed up their pace of implementa-