PM irked
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed government officials to implement development projects as fast as possible with the spirit of patriotism and love for the common people.
Unhappy with a slow pace in public works, she said development projects are not being implemented in keeping with the nation and government's aspirations.
“Development is not taking place at such pace as we want. The pace of development is slow to a large extent. But why?” The premier questioned at a function of development cadres.
Indicating a shift in the national development strategy, she said the present government wants to go back to Five-Year Plan from the present PRSP.
The PM came up with the observations and future development-planning methodology at the opening function of the silver-jubilee celebrations of the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) at the city's Osmani auditorium.
Hasina in her inaugural speech also informed that the government is going to formulate Civil Service Act with a focus on training for government officials for their skill building in keeping with the present-day national development priorities and needs.
She regretted that the government is holding regular ECNEC meeting and finalising various development projects but the projects are not being implemented in line with the expectations.
“It seems that there are weaknesses in formulating and implementing development projects. Such things cannot continue anymore,” she stated.
Official figures show 35 percent of the Tk 30,500 crore original Annual Development Programme for the current 2009-10 fiscal year could be implemented in seven months to January.
Hasina said all government officials must work with a sense and feeling of responsibility and accountability towards the people.
She further deplored that some of the government officials lack pro-people mentality though there are many others who give their best in the efforts for bringing prosperity in people's life through implementing the government schemes.
“It cannot be that we only go on enjoying fruits of the hard labour of the masses like farmers and labourers--we have many things to give back to those who through their round-the-clock work have kept our economy vibrant and strong,” she said.
Hasina disclosed that she came to know that directors of many development projects do not even go to field level to monitor the progress on projects and programmes.
She urged the authorities concerned to be more attentive and caring in formulating and implementing projects and programmes, keeping in mind greater public interest.
The premier also reaffirmed her government's strong commitment towards turning Bangladesh into a high-tech modern country in line with the Vision 2021.
In this regard, she called upon the government officials to take measures to build up a skilled workforce in IT in the country to attain the targets laid down in the Vision 2021.
The PM observed Bangladesh could not attain development at an optimum level as “anti-democracy forces had grabbed state power by extra-constitutional means” by killing Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman and four national leaders in 1975.
“Military dictators did not allow the people of Bangladesh to reach their cherished development goals,” she said.
With Planning Minister Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) AK Khandaker in the chair, the function was also addressed by Adviser to the PM HT Imam, Planning Ministry Secretary Md Habib Ullah Majumder and NAPD Director-General Dr MA Kamal.
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