Government projects

A major part of the government's functioning is focused on implementation of its projects. From the yearly revenue collection, expenditure on establishment & operation is met; the amount left is spent on project implementation. Any amount left thereafter goes for reserve. In certain years when revenue collection is not enough, money has to be transferred from the reserve or loan is taken from banks for project implementation. A surplus budget is essential for ensuring good governance.
In a year of deficit budget, the extra money spent to implement some important projects can also be adjusted from the surplus money in the following years. But if deficit budget continues, it can be understood that the country is under imprudent leadership; as a result, citizens are getting indebted to the tune of thousands of crores of taka unknowingly. Any new project taken by the government in such condition is from ulterior motive and is anti-people.
The government has implemented some development projects financed by foreign loan. But many of those projects give no benefit; however, the money spent with interest adds to our national debt. Since 1994, the government is taking loans from the local banks, to implement development projects. With the internal and external loans added together, the national debt has crossed 2 trillion crores taka by June 2006 (UNDP Report, August, 2008). The figure became much higher by June 2008. So, the new projects being taken & implemented by the government are not serving us well.
It needs no proof that many projects implemented so far were anti-people. Those projects uprooted poor people from their homes; but the criminals got rich becoming contractors, and the politicians & officials became owners of cars, flats & properties. Many of those projects are traceless and are a colossal burden on the people. Shrewd politicians, inefficient consultants & greedy officials are responsible for proposing & implementing those projects.
If a project is needed in public interest, the responsible field officer shall propose it. A project is definitely anti-people when it enters the Ministry being promoted by an interest group. This group can be politicians or bureaucrats or the investors themselves. If it is promoted by ADB or World Bank, then the project serves their purpose( in most cases).
Nevertheless, the government's financing has basic flaws. If IMF, WB or ADB show interest in a project, the government jumps into it without hesitation. Most of their funds are spent in Capacity Building & Consultancy for the projects. They don't show interest in projects serving national interests.
If any project is anti-people, the bureaucracy cannot judge it. The political governments are always dependant on the bureaucracy, so they cannot do it either. The opposition never plays its due role. So whether a project is being financed and implemented in public interest or not GOES UNCHECKED. Now the situation is that people have to check these projects by themselves. We from the Patriotic People's Forum would like to work on behalf of the people in this particular area.