ADP implementations

The donors have long been questioning the country's aid utilisation capacity, though the government puts the blame on 'procedural complications' pertaining to aid disbursement. But one thing is clear: ADP implementation has fallen well short of the target this time around. While poor project design is one reason behind the unsatisfactory performance, the 'development commitments' of MPs have been held responsible by the planners for the low ADP implementation. That brings us to the question of constituency nurturing by many a ruling party MP lobbying for projects to be set up in their areas. It seems political considerations get the better of economic ones, with the result that such projects might prove nonviable even before these have been fully implemented. It is a case of politics being mixed up with development issues and the price to be paid is sluggish performance insofar as project implementation is concerned.

The planning ministry has taken note of the problem and decided to cast aside lawmakers' suggestions (overtly influenced by local politics) while designing the ADP in future. Though belated, the appreciation of the need for separating development from politics is welcomed. Let the resolve not peter into rhetoric; people wish to see it on the ground with the assertion of government's political will duly stamped on it.

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Poor ADP implementation can send disappointing signals to the people as it will be seen as a debacle in the crucially important field of development. Leaving out the lawmakers' politically motivated development commitments should be combined with a clear-cut delegation of authority to project directors for accelerating ADP implementation.