Development program worth Tk 3 lakh crore approved, big allocation and debate over ‘bulk’ sector

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved an Annual Development Program (ADP) of about Tk 3 lakh crore for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27.

This huge development plan was approved at the NEC meeting held in Agargaon in the capital on Monday (May 18). The meeting was presided over by Tarique Rahman.

According to the Planning Commission, the total development expenditure, if the autonomous bodies and corporations’ own financing is added, will stand at about Tk 3 lakh 8 thousand 924 crore. Of this, the government’s own financing is estimated at about Tk 1 lakh 90 thousand crore and about Tk 1 lakh 10 thousand crore will come from foreign loans and grants.

The ADP has once again given the most importance to the transport and communication sector, where about Tk 50 thousand crore has been allocated. This is followed by the education sector, health, power and energy, and housing sectors.

The NEC meeting informed that the development plan has been structured on five main pillars—reform of state structure, reduction of inequality, restructuring of the economy, regional development, and strengthening social and cultural cohesion.

However, the most discussed topic in this year's development program has been 'bulk allocation'. About 1 lakh 18 thousand crore taka has been kept in this unspecified sector, including various ministries and special assistance, about which experts have raised questions about transparency and accountability.

A large amount of bulk allocation has also been kept in the health and education sectors. Concerns have been raised as this unspecified allocation is several times higher than the project-based allocation in the same sectors.

A large amount of money has also been allocated for various programs, including family cards and farmer cards, in the social security sector. In addition, special allocations are also included in the religious institutions and social assistance sectors.

A total of more than 1 thousand projects have been planned to be included in the ADP. Of these, a goal has been set to complete more than a hundred new projects and some ongoing projects quickly.

However, economists have raised questions about the implementation of such a large budget as the implementation rate of development expenditure in the current fiscal year is comparatively low. They say that if the implementation capacity is not increased, a large part of the plan may be delayed.

The government has said that this huge program will be effectively completed by increasing administrative efficiency, improving project management and implementing it on a priority basis.