Partisan Projects: 209 development schemes being cancelled

The government has decided to cancel 209 projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Among these projects, worth approximately 2,000 crore taka, there are 27 ongoing projects and 182 new ones. The government has said that this decision was made because most of these projects were initiated based on political considerations and lack "rational necessity." This information has emerged in a sector-wise report by the Planning Commission, compiled with data from various ministries and divisions.

Sources at the Planning Commission say that a committee is working to scrutinize the projects under the ADP. The committee is led by Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiya, member of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Commission, and the report has been presented to this committee.

Commission sources indicate that among the 27 ongoing projects currently on the cancellation list under the government's repurposing and re-scoping review, approximately 600 crore taka has already been spent. However, no allocations have been made for the remaining projects yet; they had only received the green light. Meanwhile, even if not cancelled, an additional 437 projects will undergo repurposing and re-scoping, which include 159 ongoing projects and 278 new ones.

Regarding the decision to cancel projects, Planning State Minister Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki told media that the government does not want to approve any project indiscriminately. Priority is being given to projects that will genuinely serve public welfare and are actually needed for the country's development. The state minister also said that efforts are being made to complete this repurposing and re-scoping work as quickly as possible. He commented that although this might cause some temporary disruption to overall development activities, its long-term benefits will be substantial.

According to Planning Commission sources, under the Agriculture, Water Resources, and Rural Institutions Division, there are 348 ongoing projects in the current fiscal year, along with 285 new unapproved projects, totalling 633 projects. Among these, 120 projects will undergo re-scoping and repurposing. A total of 55 development projects will be dropped, including 2 ongoing and 53 green-lit unapproved ones.

Under the Physical Infrastructure Division, there are 931 projects in total, consisting of 379 ongoing and 552 new unapproved projects. Of these, 110 will undergo repurposing and re-scoping. Additionally, 61 development projects will be dropped, including 19 ongoing and 42 new unapproved ones.

Under the Industry and Energy Division, there are 233 projects, including 118 ongoing and 115 new ones. Among these, 27 will undergo repurposing and re-scoping. A total of 27 development projects will be dropped, including 3 ongoing and 24 new unapproved ones. Under the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division, there are 617 projects in total, with 295 ongoing and 322 new unapproved projects. Among these, 180 will undergo repurposing and re-scoping, and a total of 66 development projects will be dropped, including 3 ongoing and 63 new unapproved ones.

Former Planning Secretary Mamun-Al-Rashid told journalists that it is not right to cancel ongoing projects simply because they were allegedly taken up indiscriminately on political grounds. He said that one must visit the areas where the projects are located to assess their actual importance. Furthermore, feasibility studies should have been conducted before the projects were undertaken; if there was no necessity, they should not have been proposed in the first place. Additionally, if any money has already been spent on these projects, it will certainly constitute wastage. He emphasized that these factors must be carefully considered. The former official further stated that if, after scrutiny, it is found that these projects are genuinely unnecessary, cancellation alone is not sufficient. Those who were involved in formulating and proposing these projects at the time must be identified and brought to justice.

Foreign loan projects are also being scrutinized. There are 332 foreign-loan-funded projects under the Planning Commission's four sectors, and these are also under review. According to a recent committee meeting decision, work is underway to verify whether ongoing and unapproved new projects under foreign financing align with the current government's election manifesto and development plans. The terms of agreements signed with development partners are also being taken into consideration. The relevant divisions of the Planning Commission are being informed of these matters. For this purpose, a letter was sent to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on 13 August. Accordingly, the ERD is carrying out the scrutiny process in coordination with the respective ministries and divisions.

There are challenges ahead. The report mentions that in applicable cases, one or more projects must be concluded and integrated into a single consolidated project proposal. This may require additional time and funds to achieve the project objectives, so this must be taken into account. Furthermore, if multiple ongoing or unapproved new projects are integrated into one, changes to the manpower structure may be necessary in some cases, which must be completed with the requisite approval from the appropriate authorities. Closing terminated projects and revising the integrated projects will require considerable time; therefore, if implementation slows down in the initial stages, steps must be taken to address that issue. In the case of merging multiple projects, the project director of the other project may have to assume audit objections and other liabilities from the concluded projects. Specific administrative measures must be taken to avoid such unintended situations. As the scale of projects increases, larger allocations will be needed in a single fiscal year than before, and the implementing agencies will also need to enhance their capacity. The relevant authorities must play a proactive role in this regard. If land acquisition is required, complexities may arise, so caution must be exercised