Rizwana seeks addl Tk 1.0b for CCTF

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has sought an additional allocation of Tk 1.0 billion for the Climate Change Trust Fund (CCTF) to properly implement its projects, sources said.

In a recent letter to Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, she requested that necessary measures be taken in this regard.

The government has so far allocated Tk 40.51 billion to the climate fund, with some 938 projects approved up to 2024.

Of these, 877 projects are being implemented by different ministries and divisions, while the remaining 61 are being executed by various non-government organisations under the supervision of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF).

However, due to reduced allocations to the trust fund and declining bank interest rates, the Board of Trustees is approving fewer important and essential projects, the letter noted.

The CCTF began its journey in FY 2009-10 with an initial fund of Tk 7.0 billion. However, only Tk 1.0 billion has been allocated to the fund in FY 2024-25, which is deemed insufficient compared to the actual needs.

The letter also noted that the ministry has set an expenditure limit of Tk 7.63 billion for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for FY 2025-26.

The finance adviser has also been requested to extend full cooperation in implementing the ministry's projects, addressing various challenges, and ensuring additional allocations as needed.

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