RAJSHAHI : The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) has issued several important directives to ensure proper implementation, close supervision, and transparency of ongoing development projects in Rajshahi.
 
These directives were presented at the meeting of the Divisional Development Coordination Committee held on the Zoom platform on Wednesday, presided over by Divisional Commissioner Dr. A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid.
 
Stating that no laxity in project management will be acceptable to ensure the optimal use of public funds, IMED representative Pallab Kumar Hazra said at the meeting that information on all projects must be mandatorily entered into the Electronic Project Management Information System (e-PMIS). 

The Prime Minister will regularly monitor the progress of the projects through a special dashboard.
 
He further said that if the implementation progress of ongoing projects under any ministry is not satisfactory, strict measures may be taken regarding the approval of new projects for that ministry.

The concerned ministries have been requested to reassess the necessity and relevance of projects with implementation progress below 30 percent.
 
Additionally, the concerned ministries have been directed to identify the reasons for delays and possible irregularities in projects not completed within the stipulated time. 

He also informed the meeting that action will be taken against individuals or organizations responsible for delays in accordance with the rules.
 
The IMED representative said that if an extension of a project’s duration is required, the proposal must be sent to IMED at least three months before the scheduled end date. 

He noted that many projects suffer from prolonged delays due to lack of regular supervision. To address this, he emphasized holding meetings of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project Implementation Committee (PIC) every three months.
 
Over a hundred officials, including heads of various departments and district administrators of the Rajshahi Division, participated in the meeting online. 

At the meeting, which prioritized ongoing development projects in the division, the concerned departments presented the progress, challenges, and areas requiring coordination for their projects.
 
In his speech as chair, Divisional Commissioner Dr. A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid directed project directors and relevant officials to avoid delays in project implementation and ensure the optimal use of public funds.
 
He said that the notion that only the project timeline has been extended without increasing costs is not accurate in practice, because extending the timeline indirectly increases costs. 
Emphasizing the completion of quality work within the stipulated time in the public interest, he urged department heads and project directors to duly comply with the directives of IMED, the National Economic Council, and the Planning Commission.