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Bangladesh is moving to centralize control over development funds previously managed directly by lawmakers. The government is proposing a new system where projects funded for constituencies will undergo rigorous review by a dedicated cell within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Under the proposed mechanism, members of parliament will submit project proposals, which will then be scrutinized for their necessity, cost, spending plan, and public benefit. This new centralized review system, spearheaded by Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the Prime Minister's adviser on finance and planning, aims to replace the previous direct allocation system. Guidelines for this system are currently being drafted and will be presented to the prime minister for final approval.

The initiative seeks to enhance transparency in budget spending and hold MPs more accountable for the use of public money in local development. Lawmakers will be required to justify project needs, funding requirements, expenditure plans, and expected benefits to their constituents. The PMO cell will assess the reasonableness of budget demands and check for signs of nepotism, political influence, or unnecessary spending.

This proposed change has elicited mixed reactions from lawmakers. While the government emphasizes the need for greater accountability and efficient use of public funds, some MPs have voiced concerns. They question whether a PMO cell located in Dhaka can adequately assess the specific local needs of diverse constituencies before approving projects. The previous system, where each MP received approximately Tk 25 crore over five years for local infrastructure, faced criticism for alleged fund misuse, incomplete projects, and political interference.

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If a proposal is weak, unnecessary or politically motivated, it can be questioned before money is spent. The idea is not to stop development work, but to make sure public money is used for real public needs.