Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday said development works to upgrade living standard of the people are not affected by the ongoing countrywide blockade and strike.
“The pace of ADP (annual development programme) implementation in the first eight months of this year is as good as it was in the same period a year ago,” said the minister in reply to a question.
He was briefing the newsmen after a meeting with heads of development and planning divisions of all ministries at the NEC conference room yesterday.
Since January 6 last, the non-stop transport blockade and a series of strikes enforced by the 20-party alliance continued in the country.
The renewed political strife was triggered by not allowing the alliance to hold a rally protesting the national election held on January 5 last year when the ruling party came to power through “controversial” election.
The planning minister asked the officials to take right decision in right time to implement the development projects within the time-frame. “It will automatically reduce wastage of money, if project implementation period is not extended.”
He also directed them to be innovative in making such projects so the country gets benefits of employment generation and increased production within a shortest possible time after the investment.
Laying emphasis on bringing down time between project adoption and its approval, he said it would help save time and implement the projects fast.
About the mode of projects in the next fiscal year, the minister said the projects will be taken keeping sustainable economic development in mind by creating employment and boosting production. “Importance will also be given on human resource development, education, IT sector and social safety net programmes.”
The meeting also discussed about the strategy to remove difficulties in implementing development projects faster.