There are still weakness in implementing a “public-centred budget” because the people do not get enough information on budget plans and implementation from the government, according to a meeting on the issue held by the Institute for Peace and Social Justice (IPSJ), Capacity Development Center (CDC) and Renaissance Institute (RI).
The government still grapples to implement development projects. Only 22 percent of the planned projects have been completely finished in 2014-15, according to a report revealed during the meeting.
Another 22 percent of the projects were not executed at all, and 56 percent of the projects are still ongoing.
The study observed 1,299 projects across 103 townships in 14 states and regions of Myanmar.
U Tin Ko Latt, head of RI, said that difficulties such as transportation, being denied permission to enter work sites and not being allowed to take photos were encountered.
“The government made a 20-year plan to implement a public centred budget after the civil government came into power in 2010. But people know little concerning government budgets and projects. Some projects even requested funds without a feasibility study. When the budget gets approved, these projects cannot get started because of avoidable problems such as land not being ready,” he said.
The report recommended that the budget should be approved for projects that are really needed by the people. Implementation should be transparent, qualified and should not be controlled by one company or one organisation and the rate should be fair, it added.