Planning Commission of Bangladesh

Planning Commission
Planning Commission is the central planning organization of a country. It determines
objectives, goals and strategies of medium and short-term plans within the framework of
long-term perspective and formulates policy measures for the achievement of planned goals
and targets.

Bangladesh Planning Commission

Bangladesh Planning Commission is the financial and public policy development institution
of the Government of Bangladesh.
Its activities includes the following elements of development planning:
Policy Planning: Determination of goals, objectives, priorities, strategies and policy
measures for development plans;
Sectoral Planning: Identification of the role that the various sectors of the economy are
required to play in the context of the Plan objectives and goals;
Programme Planning: Formulation of detailed resource allocation to realize the Plan
objectives and goals;
Project Planning: Appraisal of projects embodying investment decisions for the
implementation of the sectorial plans; and
Evaluation: Impact analysis of projects, programmes and Plans on the peoples living
standard.
ABOUT Commission
Rapid improvement of living standard of the masses was the prime goal of Bangladesh
liberation struggle in 1971. This vision for higher living standard for the masses has been
enshrined in the Bangladesh Constitution. The state of Bangladesh through its Constitution
(article-15) committed to a higher living standard for its people by providing basic needs to
all its citizens through planned development. With this objective of planned development for
the country, the Bangladesh Planning Commission was established in January 1972.The
Bangladesh Planning Commission had its roots in pre-independence Bangladesh. In the mid
1950s a Provincial Planning Board was established under the United Front Government of
the then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh). It was an important agency for formulating
investment programmes and for negotiating with the Central Government of Pakistan for an
adequate share of the financial resources for the development of East Pakistan. The Planning
Board undertook the task of appraising and evaluating East Pakistan development projects of
a certain size. Later the Bangladesh Government in exile during the war of independent in
1971 established a Planning Cell, which was an embryonic start of the present Planning
Commission. The Planning Cell established during the war of liberation was mainly
concerned with formulating a programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the economy
of post-independence Bangladesh.
One of the first decisions the Bangladesh Government made after returning from exile was to
establish the Planning Commission and to appoint the Deputy Chairperson and members of
the Commission in 31 January, 1972. The Cabinet Decision in establishing the Planning
Commission laid down ten functions for the Commission. This can be brought down to three
broad sets of functions.
to prepare the short and mid-term and long-term plans viz. Annual Development
Programme, Five Year Plan and Perspective Plans;
to make recommendation as well as being involved in the process of deliberation on a
range of policies and institutional changes which were necessary for the
implementation and realisation of the Plan objectives; and
to co-ordinate the economic policies, both short and long-term, to be under taken by
the various ministries.
In addition the Planning Commission was to serve as the Secretariat for major economic
policy questions and for initiating the appraisal of development projects and programmes by
the National Economic Council (NEC). The NEC was created to serve as the economic mini-
cabinet, consisting of the main economic ministers of the cabinet and headed by the Prime
Minister.
FORMATION
The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the Planning Commission. The Minister for Planning
are the Vice-Chairman of the Commission. At the policy level, the Commission consists of
Vice Chairman and five Members. Secretary Planning Division acts as the Member Secretary
of the Commission. The Planning Division provides the administrative and Secretarial
support to the Planning Commission. Under the Members there are six Divisions, which are
further sub-divided into thirty functional Wings (Chart-1). Two of the Divisions deal with the
general macro issues of the economy viz. General Economics Division and Programming
Division. The other four Divisions deal with the planning and policy issues of different
sectors of the economy.
The Planning Commission officials below the Members belong to the Bangladesh Civil
Service BCS (Economic) cadre, administered by the Planning Division. Chiefs headed the
Divisions and Wings are headed by Joint Chiefs. Wings are further sub-divided into Branches
and headed by Deputy Chiefs and Desks are manned by Senior Assistant Chiefs/Assistant
Chiefs of the Planning Commission.

FUNCTIONS
Functions of the Bangladesh Planning Commission in more concrete terms are:
Formulation of countrys medium-term (5 years) macro plan within the framework of
long-term (15-20 years) perspective.
Formulation of the Three Year Rolling Investment Programme (TYRIP) in
consistence with the Five Year Plan.
Formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) .
Preparation of Annual Development Programme (ADP) within the framework of
TYRIP and Five Year Plan.
Appraisal of project proposals for the Executive Committee of National Economic
Council (ECNEC) and the Minister for Planning.
Evaluation of Plans and their impact on the economic development.

Undertaking and promotion of research to support development planning.

Different Wings, Wings Construction & Functions

Major Functions of Crops Wing:

Planning for increasing crop production and increased productivity and real income of
farming families on a sustainable basis
Planning to attain self-sufficiency in food grain production and to increase production
of other nutritional corps
Taking steps to increase foreign earnings through exports of agricultural products
including fruits and vegetables
Taking steps to create favorable environment for promoting agro-based industries
Taking steps to increase research facilities for producing quality crops to increase
production per acre of land

Major Functions of Food Wing

Making Plan for ensuring self-sufficiency in food grain and food security for all;
Making plan for preservation and maintenance of security stock of food grains to
meet any natural calamities, shortfalls;
Taking steps to stabilize prices of food grains;
Taking steps to ensure maintaining food quality

Major Functions of Rural Development and Institution Wing

Making plan to create facilities for self-employment, development of small and
landless farmers and eradicate rural poverty;
Making plan for Rural physical and social Infrastructural development through
formation of schools, colleges, training centers, growth centers, construction of
bridges, culverts, roads, formation of groups etc.
Taking steps to promote resource mobilization through individual/group savings;

Taking steps to create favorable environment for micro-credits for rural poor people.
Major Functions of forest, fisheries and livestock Wing
A. Forest and Environment
Planning for expanding Forest Resources

Taking steps to conserve and protect the eco-system for bio-diversity and maintaining
favorable environment for human being
Taking steps to encourage private forestation through plantation of rubber, teak, fruit
trees and high value trees
Taking steps to include peoples participations (NGO, government, Local government
bodies) in afforestation programmes
Plan for making research to produce improved variety of trees and develop new
technology and transferring technology through extension works
Taking steps to promote multiple Land use plan
B. Fisheries and Livestock
Making plan and programs to increases Fish and livestock production and improve
nutritional level
Making plan to generate employment opportunities and alleviate poverty through
promotion of Fisheries and livestock production
Taking steps to increase foreign earnings through increase export of shrimp, fish, fish
products, leather products and reduce imports of powder milk
Taking steps to increase research facilities for improving quality of fishes and
livestock and increased production through improved technologies
Encourage private sector in production, research and marketing of Fish, livestock and
processed products.

Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Wing

Encouragement of growth of locally produced energy, such as natural gas

Satisfaction of local commercial demand through development of gas

Establishment of national gas grid

Taking steps towards development of mineral resources

Power Wing
Working towards an objective of producing an additional 3,319 Mega-Watt to meet
local demands
Allotment of Tk. 8,836,10 crore in Fifth Five-Year Plan
 Encouragement of private sector investment

Education Wing
Determination of Five-Year Plan for Education sector and provide assistance to
relevant Ministries/ Divisions to identify projects worthy of being included in ADP
Providing assistance to Ministry for evaluation of project proposals
Taking necessary steps for approval of projects by relevant authorities

Field-level monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Processing of resource allocation for development projects 6. Providing list of aid-
worthy projects to the donor community

Social Welfare, Womens Affairs and Youth Development, Mass Communication, Sports
and Culture Wing
Preparation of long, medium and short-term plans in accordance with social,
economic and political objectives as laid down by the Government
Providing assistance to relevant Ministries/ Divisions to identify projects worthy of
being included in ADP
Determination of policy priorities, objectives and implementation strategy

Provide assistance for approval of projects related to economic and social

empowerment of women
Provide assistance for approval of projects related to self-employment of youth

Health Wing
Determination of Five-Year Plan for Education sector in accordance with social,
economic and political objectives as laid down by the Government
Evaluation and approval of health-related development projects

Keeping liaison with Economic Relations Division regarding health-related projects

Submissions of opinions and suggestions of Planning Commission at joint meetings
between GOB, UNICEF Action Group and UNICEF
Evaluation of progress regarding issues raised in the Parliament and ADP projects and
coordination of matters related to ECNEC
Population Planning Wing
Disbursement of funds for ADP projects
Analysis of problems regarding implementation of aid-worthy projects and presenting
guidelines for possible solutions
Negotiation for international assistance and representation at Steering Committee
meetings at different ministries
Analysis and evaluation of projects related to population growth and their causes

Public Administration, Labor, Manpower, Science and Technology Research Wing

Providing assistance to relevant Ministries/ Divisions to identify projects worthy of
being included in ADP
Preparation of working paper for ECNEC and inter-Ministerial meetings

Disbursement of funds for ADP projects

Implementation of projects related to skill development in public administration,
transparency and accountability
Implementation of projects related to labor and manpower

Major Functions of Industry Division

Planning for increase in production of paper and newsprint

Identification of comparative advantages in different sectors of the economy

Taking steps towards increase of foreign and private investment

Taking steps towards strengthening of exports

Functions of Physical Infrastructure Division

Preparation of short, medium, long-term plans for sectors under Physical
Infrastructure Division, including roads and highways, railway, civil aviation and
tourism, post and telecommunication, statistics, water distribution, local and
municipal infrastructure development, works and housing
Establishment of development for hill tracts Evaluation and approval of different
development projects
Preparation of implementation plan for annual development projects
 Providing secretarial services for ECNEC and inter-Ministerial meetings

Undertaking of research studies on issues related to development of physical

infrastructure

Functions of the Programming Division

Determination of the sizes of the Annual Development Programmes (ADP) and
sectoral allocations/ proportions.
Formulation of ADP and revision of ADP.
Preparation of Annual Technical Assistance Programmes (ATAP) and revision of
ATAP.
Recommend release of ADP funds in relevant cases.
Oversee ADP implementation/ administration.

Determination of external assistance requirements for ADP financing.

Preparation of the list of Aid Worthy Projects before Bangladesh Development Forum
Meeting.
Inter Ministerial and intra-Planning Commission co-ordination in matters of ADP
preparation, revision and appropriation/re-appropriation of funds.
Provide secretarial service to the programming committee of Planning Commission.

Keeping records of resource use.

Preparation and interpretation of the Guidelines for Local Government Development.

Oversee formulation and implementation of Local Government Development

programmes and co-ordination with Finance Division, ERD and Local Government
Division in this regard.