Editorial
Poor ADP implementation
Strong monitoring called-for
The Annual Development programme (ADP) is still dogged by the perennial syndrome of low implementation rate. In keeping with an ambitious budget this fiscal, the ADP allocation, too, was enhanced by around 36 per cent more than the revised ADP for last fiscal. The expectation was that the ministries will be able to perform better at utilising the development money, given the emphasis the prime minister had repeatedly laid on better implementation of the fund. Unfortunately though, this time, too, the utilisation rate, far from improving, has rather been marked by a poorer show at 33 per cent over the first seven months, which is less than that of the last year's 35 per cent during the corresponding period.
But what is still ailing the ADP implementation regime? The explanation that the ministries and divisions responsible for ADP utilisation have come up with is that it is the strict donors' conditionalities and delay in the bidding process that slowed down the implementation of the projects run by foreign aid. Evidently, this has acted as a drag on the overall rate of ADP utilisation.
But the excuse of restrictive donor conditions aside, the usual bane of bureaucratic sloth, inefficiency and corruption nexus is reigning supreme in the administration of the development projects. From that perspective the attempt to blame it on the development partners sounds convenient.
While some ministries like the local government, education and agriculture have performed better, the very poor records of the power, health, roads, family and welfare and highways divisions have made a very poor show of project implementation. The government should look into matter and go to the root of this anomaly affecting the overall implementation of ADP. It calls for stronger monitoring of project implementation as we all addressing the usual complaints of sloth and inefficiency.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
6 hour(s) ago
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Dolphin deaths must be investigated
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Weak policing fuelling rise in crimes
17 June 2026, 18:18 PM
Editorial
Three union names, one troubling pattern
17 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Comments