Desk report: The government is in a hurry to get rural infrastructure development projects involving substantial volume of funds approved by the Planning Commission (PC) before the forthcoming national elections, officials said on Saturday, reports The Financial Express.
They said the Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) alone has sought approval for nine projects meant to construct rural roads and bridges, where billions will be required.
“All the projects have been sent to us within the last couple of weeks for approval. Now we’re coming under pressure to approve those on an emergency basis,” a PC official said.
Within a day or two from the date of sending the projects from the ministry to the commission, some government ministers, lawmakers and political heavyweights are putting pressure on the commission for the approval, the official said.
Development analysts say since the national election is round the corner, the ruling party is taking up projects in a hurry out of political consideration.
According to the ministry of local government, rural development and cooperative, it has sent at least nine rural infrastructure development projects within last couple of weeks to the commission.
“Since the lawmakers have pledged their voters to develop roads, bridges, culverts and other infrastructure in their constituencies, they are putting pressure on us to approve projects before the elections,” said a ministry official.
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