The Rural Development and Co-operatives Division has sought an additional Tk 6.26 billion allocation for the FY2026-27 budget, saying the current ceiling is insufficient to implement the government's 180-day action plan and key pledges outlined in the national election manifesto.
In a letter sent to the Finance Division, Rural Development and Co-operatives Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury said the division requires a higher development budget to support its expanding portfolio of projects and ensure timely execution of priority programmes.
Under the existing framework, the development budget ceiling for FY2026-27 has been set at Tk 4.64 billion.
The division has requested an additional Tk 6.26 billion, which would raise the proposed allocation to about Tk 10.90 billion.
Officials said the extra funds are needed to accommodate a growing pipeline of development initiatives.
At present, some 13 new projects have been submitted to the Finance Division for funding approval, while 27 projects are included in the revised Annual Development Programme (ADP) for FY2025-26.
The proposed funding will support programmes focused on poverty reduction, social safety nets, women's empowerment, youth development, agricultural advancement, employment generation and environmental sustainability, according to the letter.
The division also stressed the need to increase the development budget ceiling for the medium term, covering FY2026-27 to FY2028-29, to maintain project momentum and ensure quality implementation.
The officials noted that allocating at least 20 per cent of total project costs to new initiatives would help sustain development activities and align programmes with the government's policy priorities.
In the letter, the secretary sought the Finance Division's cooperation in revising the allocation so that the socio-economic goals outlined in the government's election manifesto can be achieved within the stipulated timeframe.
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