PM unhappy with slow pace of development works

Unhappy with a slow pace in public works, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday directed government officials to implement development projects as fast as possible with the spirit of patriotism and love for the common people.She said development projects are not being implemented in keeping with the nation's 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 Prime Minister 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 (poverty-reduction strategy paper), known as a donor-prescribed development paradigm.The Prime Minister 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.With Planning Minister Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) AK Khandaker in the chair, the function was also addressed by Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam, Planning Ministry Secretary Md. Habib Ullah Majumder and NAPD Director-General Dr MA Kamal. The Prime Minister was given a crest by the organizers.Hasina in her inaugural speech also informed her audience 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 finalizing 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 clearly stated.Official figures show 35 percent of the Tk 30,500 original Annual Development Programme (ADP) 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 labor of the masses like farmers and laborers-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.