The new precept also enhances much the planning minister's authority in approving development projects and that of the line ministries in technical assistance projects.

The government and the development partners have prepared the guideline to facilitate quick and easy formulation, approval and implementation of the projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

From March 27 on, 'development project pro forma' will replace 'project concept paper' and 'project paper'. The pro forma will have two chapters instead of eight and 34 items against the previous 67.

The new guideline will require the process of project paper preparation and approval to be completed in a maximum of 67 days, instead of the current 120 days, though in some cases in the past it took the officials concerned even four to five years to finalise project proposals.

The Planning Commission will have to check out the project proposals with the line ministries for any queries in 10 days and the ministries are to send back the proposals with their replies in seven days.

Under the guideline, the planning minister will have the authority to okay projects worth up to Tk 25 crore, instead of the current ceiling of Tk 10 crore.

Projects involving more than Tk 25 crore will go to the Executive Committee on National Economic Council (Ecnec) for approval.

The guideline authorises a line ministry to approve technical assistance projects up to $1 million, against the present limit of around Tk 1 crore.

In case of revisions, a line ministry will have the power to approve up to 10 percent rise in the total project cost and the planning minister up to 20 percent. If the cost exceeds by more than 20 percent, it has to be approved by the Ecnec.

For revisions, the line ministries will not be needed to change all project documents but to mention the amount of the excess cost and the reasons for that.