Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday asked all the ministries and divisions to strictly follow the government's rules of business.
Violation of the rules is causing lack of coordination between them and affecting the country's international relations, he noted at a meeting with secretaries of different ministries and divisions at the cabinet division of the secretariat.
Several ministries including the communications, commerce and home negotiated different projects and funds with foreign governments or missions without any consultation with the foreign ministry. And that prompted the foreign ministry to file a complaint with the cabinet division.
The government's Rules of Business 1996 prohibits ministries and divisions from communicating with foreign governments, missions and international agencies without consultation with the foreign ministry.
A secretary said after the meeting, “We could not follow the rules of business as we were in a hurry to implement the projects and we assured him (Muhith) that we will not violate the rules.”
Briefing reporters at the secretariat, Muhith said a framework for the central budget and separate district-wise budgets is being prepared for the next fiscal year.
“This will definitely be more effective and beneficial for people,” said the minister.
At the meeting, the secretaries were asked to prepare a databank of all the districts and their expenditures.
Muhith said implementation of the Annual Development Project has been improved noticeably.
“I asked them (secretaries) to coordinate and consult with others to expedite the implementation process,” he added.
HT Imam, prime minister's administrative affairs adviser, requested the civil servants to attend the training programmes arranged for them, as training is necessary to enrich their knowledge and improve efficiency.
Fifteen secretaries raised different issues at the meeting mostly relating to insufficient allocation of money, and asked for speedy release of funds.
Cabinet Secretary Md Abdul Aziz conducted the meeting.