DHAKA – Implementation of Bangladesh’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) stood at just 0.69 percent in July, the first month of the current fiscal year, with 10 ministries and divisions failing to spend any money from their development allocations.
The figures were revealed in the latest ADP implementation report released by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry on Monday.
Only Tk 2,121 crore spent in July
According to the report, government agencies spent Tk 2,121 crore against the total ADP allocation of Tk 3.08 lakh crore for the current fiscal year. The expenditure rate was therefore only 0.69 percent.
The implementation rate was the same as that recorded in the first month of the previous fiscal year. In the first month of fiscal years 2024-25 and 2023-24, however, ADP spending exceeded 1 percent.
Ten ministries and divisions spend nothing
Ten ministries and divisions failed to spend even a single taka from their development allocations in July.
They are the Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Health Services Division, Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, Bridges Division, and Internal Resources Division.
Government changes fiscal year calendar
The low implementation rate comes amid the government’s decision to change the country’s fiscal year calendar.
The current July-June fiscal year will eventually be replaced by an April-March cycle starting from fiscal year 2028-29. One of the key reasons behind the change is that the rainy season at the beginning of the existing fiscal year often hampers the implementation of development projects.
Officials believe shifting the fiscal year could allow development funds to be utilized more effectively by avoiding the period when heavy rainfall disrupts project work.
PSC leads spending performance
The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) recorded the highest ADP spending rate in July. Against an allocation of Tk 29 crore, it spent more than Tk 2 crore, accounting for around 7.5 percent of its allocation.
The Parliament Secretariat spent nearly 7 percent of its allocation, while the Cabinet Division utilized around 5.5 percent.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education spent 5 percent of its allocation, while the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) utilized around 4.5 percent.
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