TDS Desk:

The government has utilised only 36.65% of its Annual Development Programme (ADP) allocation in the first nine months of the current fiscal year—the lowest implementation rate in over a decade, reflecting a sharp decline in development activity.

According to data from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), spending from July to March stood at Tk82,894 crore out of a revised allocation of Tk2,26,165 crore. This is Tk24,718 crore lower than the same period last year, when expenditure reached Tk1,07,612 crore or 42.30% of the revised allocation.

Historically, ADP implementation for the first three quarters hovers between 42% and 45%. The current rate marks the weakest performance since IMED began tracking data in FY12.

Officials and experts attribute the sluggish progress to political instability following the change in government last August, and widespread administrative reshuffles.

IMED officials noted that many project directors were either replaced or faced allegations of irregularities, while work on many local projects stalled. Additionally, foreign-funded projects suffered from a lack of international contractors and slow fund disbursements.

Of the total expenditure, Tk44,376 crore came from government sources (32.87% of the revised allocation), down from 36.14% last year; foreign assistance amounted to Tk32,411 crore (40%), down from Tk44,066 crore (52.77%); implementing agencies spent Tk6,107 crore from their own funds.

Despite 15 ministries and divisions receiving nearly 75% of the total allocation, several posted disappointing figures.

The Health Services Division used just 14.41%, largely due to delays in the Fifth Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme (HNPSP). Other low performers included the Ministry of Shipping (24.83%), Bridges Division (27%), and Ministry of Railways (32.71%).

On the positive side, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division spent 79.71% of its allocation, the Power Division reached 56%, the Ministry of Agriculture 54%, and both the Local Government Division and Ministry of Housing and Public Works achieved 45%.