The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the Tk60,000 crore Revised Annual Development Programme(RADP) of the current fiscal year which isTk5,870 crore less than the original ADP.
The amount is also Tk7, 634 crore higher than the revised ADP of the last fiscal year. The original ADP was Tk65, 870 crore for the current fiscal year, reported BSS.
The approval was given at the 1st National Economic Council (NEC) meeting of the present government held at the NEC conference room in city's Sher-e- Bangla Nagar with NEC chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said following guidance from the Finance Ministry to revise the ADP at Tk55,000 crore, the Planning Ministry has been demanding for raising the revised ADP at Tk60,000 crore due to additional demand from various Ministries.
He said the allocation of Tk5, 000 crore was added to the proposed revised ADP of Tk55, 000 crore while the additional allocation has been made in line with the demand from various ministries after reviewing their implementation capacity.
The Minister said that the additional allocation would soon be adjusted against the concerned ministries in consultation with the finance minister.
Planning Ministry sources said some 1254 projects were incorporated in the RADP of the current fiscal year with some newly approved 202 projects.
Of the total number of projects, there are some 1049 investment projects, 174 technical assistance projects and some 31 projects with Japan Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF). There are some 46 projects on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis in the RADP.
The meeting expressed the hope that some 236 projects would be completed in the current fiscal year.
Planning Ministry sources said that in the meeting, the prime minister directed the concerned ministries so that the projects are being implemented properly maintaining pace as well as directed the concerned not to let the projects carry forward for the next year which are nearing completion in the current year.
Speaking at the meeting, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the allocation for the Padma Bridge would remain intact in the RADP and opined that the economy of Bangladesh did not face the impact of recession due to the macro- economic stability.
Ministers, members of the Planning Commission and secretaries concerned were present.