Preparation of budget is a significant phenomenon for the country. Effective implementation is equally significant. When a budget is prepared the utopian way it does not help the nation. On the other hand, when a pragmatic budget is implemented inefficiently it does not bring desired well-being to the nation. A few renowned economists assessed the development budget 2010-11 as not achievable after observing the presentation in parliament by Finance Minister AMA Muhith. They did not make any significant comment on fiscal measures as well as on different allocations. They thought from their experience that the present administrative structure and procedure is not suitable for implementing such a large allocation in ADR I would like to echo them. If the government does keep the existing procedure of project approval and project implementation as it is, the budgetary allocations cannot be utilized properly.

The government field level development agencies that are entrusted with the responsibility of project implementation are not enjoying commensurate authority to perform the job assigned

to them. For example,

Rajuk, BPDB, BADC, Department of Roads and Highways and so on are the development project implementing agencies of the government. Even after approval of a project by ECNEC and incorporation in ADR the agencies cannot make decision for awarding a contract to a contractor or a consultant when a project exceeds a certain amount of money. The limit is so small that almost all projects require approval of cabinet purchase committee to select a contractor or a consultant which is very much time consuming, usually it takes more than a year.

This time consuming procedure could easily be overcome if the government enact some changes to its present project implementation procedure delegating authority to the developmentagencies.

The government should consider the factor seriously and delegate authority to the field agencies. The ministry will visit the site, monitor the status of implementation of the projects from time to time and investigate if any wrong is committed.

Md. Ashraf Hossain

Central Bashabo, Dhaka