The first seven months of the current fiscal year of 2022-23 saw the lowest implementation rate of the annual development programme (ADP) in the last three years, with only 28.16 per cent of the total outlay being spent till January. 

The government managed to spend Tk 72,090 crore from its ADP budget in the July-January period, according to data from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the planning ministry.

It was Tk 71,532 crore in the same period a year ago.

As of January, the ministries and divisions spent 28.16 per cent of the total ADP allocation of Tk 256,003 crore set aside to carry out development activities during the current fiscal year. It was 30.21 per cent in the same period in FY22.

The latest data shows that in the seven-month period, the implementing entities managed to spend Tk 40,375 crore of the government funds, which is 5.95 per cent less than the Tk 42,929 crore spent from government funds in the same period last year.

Spending from project assistance in these seven months, however, saw a year-on-year increase of 15.22 per cent and stood at Tk 29,155 crore, against Tk 25,303 crore spent between July and January last fiscal year.

An official of the planning ministry said spending from government funds went slow due to some restrictive measures taken by the government, which had earlier categorised the projects on the basis of their priority.

Regarding the rise in spending from project assistance, he said there was no such restriction in spending from project assistance.

Spending by the state-owned enterprises also came down to Tk 2,561 crore in the seven months till January, against Tk 3,301 crore spent in the same period in FY22.

Among the fifteen ministries and divisions receiving the highest allocations, the health services division has been the worst performer.

It could spend Tk 1,847 crore from July to January, which accounted for only 11.71 per cent of its total allocation of Tk 15,779 crore.

Other sub-par performers include the secondary and higher education division, which spent 13.58 per cent of its total allocation, shipping ministry (14.92 per cent) and primary and mass education ministry (15.86 per cent).

The bridges division was the top performer in the first seven months as it spent 46.40 per cent of its allocation.

The power division came second (44.47 per cent) followed by housing and public works ministry (37.42 per cent) and prime minister's office (33.68 per cent).