Research allocation of planning ministry not being used properly

Staff Reporter :
Research allocation of the Ministry of Planning is not being used properly as result researches this ministry lost efficiency to meet the latest challenges in the country’s socio-economic development.

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) under planning division of this ministry, established as per the outline of the first Five-Year Plan (1973-78), is yet to establish a strong institutional position.

According to sources, a total of 638 research programmes have been completed from 1983 to 2018 by the SSRC referring 18 studies per year on average.

However, in FY23, there was no research allocation due to the fiscal contraction. In FY22, research allocation was fully spent.

A total of 259 research proposals were submitted in the last year among them only 56 proposals were accepted. In FY24, Tk 2.4 crore has been allocated for research along with Tk 60 lakh for training.

It is reported that after getting approval, the research works are not completed for years. Even the 1990s agreement still hangs.

According to sources, researcher named Rokeya Akhter from Dhanmondi signed a contract for research with SSRC for a period of 18 months in 2006. Even after 18 years, her response is still not available.

The council is sending letters one after another to return the Tk 35,000 taken in two installments. But she does not respond.

Jamal Uddin Sarkar of Baraigram Upazila, Natore, made a 28-month contract for a study with SSRC in 2014.

He did not complete the study and not even returned the partial allocation of Tk. 25,000.

In 2018, SSRC was signed an agreement with Kushtia Government College Professor Taufiq Ahmed for research.

The 36-month study period ended in 2022, but no response was received through mail and postal letters.

Therefore, SSRC canceled the agreement on December 18 last year.

Regarding the issue state minister for Planning Shamsul Alam told to the journalists that the distinguished researchers of the university are not giving timely reports nor they are returning the money which represents the picture of social decay.