STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The government is planning to end lawmakers’ direct control over constituency-based development funds and place such projects under closer oversight of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Under the proposed system, the members of parliament will first submit project details, and a dedicated cell in the Prime Minister’s Office and the concerned ministry will then review the project’s necessity, cost, spending plan and public benefit before approval.

The cell will also monitor implementation and receive monthly progress reports by the fifth of every month.

The government plans to replace the previous direct allocation system with a centralised review mechanism under the PMO, said Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the Prime Minister’s adviser on the finance and planning ministries.

Guidelines for the proposed system are being prepared and will be placed before the prime minister once finalised. After the prime minister’s approval, the cell will proceed with the next steps.

Experts may also be included in the process if necessary.

The move is aimed at ensuring transparency in budget spending and making the MPs more accountable for the use of public money in local development projects.

Lawmakers will have to explain why a project is needed, how much money will be required, how the funds will be spent and how people in the constituency will benefit.

The PMO cell will then examine whether the budget demand is reasonable and whether there are signs of nepotism, political influence or unnecessary spending.

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