Report of the Public Administrative Efficiency Study, Main Report Vol-I, 1989

Abstract

As part of the TDA-financed thirteenth import program credit, Bangladesh Government and the International Development Association agreed to undertake a study to identify the key constraints affecting the efficiency of public administration, particularly in relation to key economic Ministries and to prepare an action plan to implement the study’s recommendations. To attain the study objectives, a Steering Committee was set up to carry out the Study, with the understanding that the Committee would limit its recommendations to changes in the existing administrative structure, within the present rules of business. The study deals with Class I officers since this group plays the most crucial role in the management of the public sector. The motive force behind this study is to attain increased efficiency and effectiveness in government administration. Since independence, Bangladesh has relied heavily on external aid due to major 1 structural imbalances in the economy. The need for external aid is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, in view of the necessity for increasing investment and the need for accelerated economic growth and development. But the recent years have witnessed increasing concern on the part of both donors and the government with the utilization of available aid, particularly the sluggish disbursement performance and the continuing build-up of project aid in the pipeline. The problem confronting both the government and the donor community is that of finding ways of overcoming constraints so that resources available to the country can be fully utilized to ensure economic growth and development. The problems thus identified point to the need of evolving a more efficient an administrative system capable of handling developmental activities effectively. The need for reform lias led to this Public Administration Efficiency Study, which was carried out from May to November 1989.