Some large and important ministries including Power Division lagged in execution of projects under annual development programme (ADP) in the first eight months of this fiscal year, although the overall scenario is slightly better.

During July-February, 10 ministries spent about 76 percent of the total ADP allocation. Among them, the Power Division, communications ministry, health and family welfare ministry spent only 24 percent to 36 percent.

The scanty expenditure for project implementation by the thrust sectors like power and health has made scarce the services people are supposed to get, say officials.

During the time, ADP implementation was Tk 11,908 crore or 39 percent of the original Tk30,500 crore ADP. The

figure was Tk 8,809 crore or 34 percent of the original ADP in the same period a year earlier..

However, the July-February period witnessed a 35 percent rise, compared to the corresponding period in the last fiscal year, which is a positive sign.

The Power Division could spend only Tk 879 crore or 28 percent of the original allocation ofTk3,133 crore.

The communications ministry could spend Tk 889 crore or 24 percent and the health and family welfare ministry Tk 1,112 crore or 36 percent of the total allocation ofTk3,063 crore.

Some ministries showed very good performance. Among them, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division spent 86 percent, education ministry 54 percent, agriculture ministry 53 percent, Local Government Division 52 percent, primary and mass education 53 percent,

housing and public works ministry 54 percent of their original allocations.

Meanwhile, the National Economic Council in its meeting last month already revised original ADP to Tk 28,500 crore by slashingTk 2,000 crore. The allocations to the low performing ministries have also been cut.

A high official of the planning ministry said the implementation situation would again be reviewed before June and the allocation to the ministries failing to show good performance would be cut further and the amount would be given to the high performing ministries.

The official expects a better pace of project implementation in the coming months, as progress in performances of the ministries are now frequently reviewed in the NEC's executive committee meetings, which are chaired by the head of government.