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Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, described the project review initiative as positive but said the focus should remain on improving managerial efficiency, implementation quality, and institutional oversight -- particularly strengthening the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).

He also cautioned that project success should not be measured solely by the amount of money spent, saying emphasis should be placed on whether projects are delivering intended outcomes and ensuring value for public resources.

Rahman warned that expanding the ADP by 50 percent without improving institutional capacity and governance risked falling short of expectations, adding that increasing allocations without reforms in implementation, procurement, and monitoring may fail to deliver expected returns from public investment.

The finance minister said at yesterday’s meeting that a major reform would be brought to the Planning Commission to improve project formulation and implementation.

The government will also revise the project director selection policy, as project directors are central to implementation.

In the health sector, the government may allocate Tk 35,252 crore, against an original budget allocation of Tk 17,519 crore this year, revised down to Tk 4,412 crore.

In the education sector, the proposed allocation is Tk 48,305 crore, against an original Tk 28,303 crore, revised to Tk 17,391 crore.

The government may allocate Tk 36,128 crore to the Local Government Division, Tk 31,064 crore to Roads and Highways, and Tk 17,315 crore to the Science and Technology Ministry. In the Power Division, the proposed allocation is Tk 19,285 crore, with Tk 8,000 crore set aside for state-owned enterprises.