The government could spend just 4.23 percent of the budget allocated under the capital expenditure heading in the first two months, mid-July to mid-September, of the current fiscal year.

The spending until Monday, September 16, amounted to Rs 14.89 billion, against the annual target of Rs 352.35 billion, data of the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), show.

Despite increments in expenditure and revenue targets every year, government’s expenditure have always remained low. The government could spend only 63.47% of the capital budget last fiscal year. 

Sluggish expenditure for most of the year and rush spending at the eleventh hour have always affected the development projects, experts say. 

According to the FCGO statistics, the government has spent Rs 137.55 billion, or 7.39 percent, of the expenditure target for the current fiscal year in the first two months. Of the total spending, recurrent expenditure amounted to Rs 82.98 billion while Rs 39.67 billion was used for financing.

Similarly, the government could meet only 11.52 percent of the revenue target in the period.

The government aims to collect Rs 1,471.62 billion in revenue this fiscal year, but has collected only Rs 169.51 billion so far.

Of the total revenue, tax revenue amounted to Rs 145.19 billion and non-tax revenue collections totaled to Rs 21.19 billion.