Ecnec approves 10 projects worth Tk16,276cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved 10 projects worth Tk16,276.03 crore in a virtual meeting.

The approval includes a Tk475.26 crore project for reconstructing the 113km embankments and re-excavating 60km of rivers and 344km of canals in Satkhira.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the virtual meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban.

Planning Minister MA Mannan said that two projects for fighting the coronavirus crisis in the country – with special approval of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank – were mentioned at the meeting.

"The prime minister has suggested installing at least 10 ICU beds in every district sadar hospital," he said at a press briefing after the virtual meeting.

The government intends to provide Tk1,000 for each primary student to purchase school dresses, shoes, and bags as a part of Mujib Borsho celebrations.

Ecnec approved the second revised proposal of a stipend project for the primary students with an additional Tk6,843.28 crore. The tenure of the project has been extended up to June 2021 – 18 more months.

The project will also provide Tk75 per month for pre-primary students, and Tk150 to Tk500 to families depending on the number of school-going children they have.

"The project would benefit about 14 million primary students," said the planning minister. Quoting the prime minister, he said the stipends would be covered by the revenue budget, instead of through the budget for a new project.

The committee also approved another project to mechanise the agricultural system by providing 40 agricultural machines each to 21 upazilas in 11 districts.

The project aims to reduce harvest and post-harvest loss of agricultural products and will reduce dependency on labour, said Mannan.