Planning Minister’s power reduces

Power of Planning Minister has reduced as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved a circular of Planning Commission.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held its regular meeting at NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area on Tuesday.

At the meeting, ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the development budget for the next fiscal year and a circular of Planning Commission.

Planning Secretary Pradeep Ranjan Chakraborty said earlier the Planning Minister used to approve up to Tk 1,000 crore for technical projects. But now he will not be able to approve more than Tk 50 crore for technical or development projects.

He also said earlier there was no obstacle to approve technical projects. But now if there is a project worth more than Tk 50 crore, it will have to be approved at ECNEC meetings.

Immediately after the secretary's speech, the Planning Minister said, “My wings have been cut”.