The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday suspended a Tk 236-crore project of Teletalk on commercial introduction of 5-G services in the capital as a part of the government's austerity measures amid the global crisis. But the Ecnec approved seven other development projects with the estimated cost of Tk 2,007.57 crore (only additional costs of the three revised projects were counted here). The approval came from the Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room. Prime Minister and Ecnec chair Sheikh Hasina joining it through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban. Also read: PM: BNP plundered national resources during its rule "Today's meeting approved seven projects, but postponed a fresh project of Teletalk," said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters. He said the Teletalk project was postponed as it would cost dollars from the country's reserve of foreign currencies but it is so much essential right now. The minister said the project was not cancelled. It will be implemented later, he added. The new project titled " Commercial Introduction of 5-G technology in the Teletalk Network in Dhaka Metropolitan area" involving Tk 236.54 crore was designed to implement by December 2023. The main objectives of the project include to introduce 5-G technology commercially, to raise interest among the people over 5-G technology, and encourage other mobile phone operators to introduce 5-G services. The largest project among four fresh ones approved in the meeting is "Land Acquisition, providing compensation to the victims and their rehabilitation in order to establish the divisional headquarters for Mymensigh Division Project" with the cost of Tk 1,224.81 crore. Also read: PM urges the youth to acquire skills to become entrepreneurs Three other new projects are "Strengthening research activities of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)" with the estimated cost of Tk 164.01 crore; "Procurement of Equipment and Machineries from Belarus for Selected Municipalities and City Corporations" with Tk 150.62 crore; and "Extension and Modernisation of Dhaka Central Drug Addiction Treatment Centre" with Tk 162.34 crore. The three revised projects are Rehabilitation of 67A, 67, 67B and 68 polders along the Naf River in Ukhia and Teknaf Upazilas to improve the border security on Bangladesh- Myanmar Border (first revised) project" with additional cost of Tk 227.02 crore (Now the cost raised to Tk 368.67 crore); Uttara Lake Development (1st revised) Project with additional cost of Tk 53.41 crore (now cost is Tk 90.74); and Jail Training Centre, Rajshahi (1st revised) project with additional cost of Tk 25.36 crore (now cost is Tk 98.78.crore). 

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared 10 development projects involving Tk 4,167 crore. The approval came from the Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room here. Ecenc Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, joining it through a videoconference from Ganobhaban. “Today 10 projects, including seven new ones, got approval. The overall estimated cost of the projects is Tk 4,166.61 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan at a press briefing. Of the cost, Tk 4,125.82 crore will come from the national exchequer, while the rest Tk 40.79 crore from the own funds of the organisations concerned, he said.  Among the projects, four are under the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry, two each under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Education Ministry, one each under the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry and the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. Also read: Hasina suggests 6 points for framing post-Covid global recovery plan The projects under LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry are Development of Important Rural Infrastructures in Tangail Project involving an estimated cost of Tk 865.64 crore; Development of Rural Infrastructures in Gazipur District with Tk 685 crore; Acquisition of necessary lands for solid waste management and construction of bus-truck terminals in Gazipur City Corporation with Tk 782.25 crore; and Improvement of Safe Water Supply and Sanitation System in Rural Areas of Gopalganj District Project involving Tk 261.34 crore. The two projects under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry are Development of Kabirhat-Chamir Munshirhat-Sonaimuri Road and Senbagh-Begumganj Gasfield-Sonaimuri Road under Noakhali road division involving Tk 371.16 crore; and Support to Joydevpur-Debgram-Bhulta-Madanpur road (Dhaka Bypass) PPP (1st revised) Project with an additional cost of Tk 438.24 crore. Another two projects are under the Education Ministry and those are Development of Bangladesh University of Professionals (1st phase) (1st revised) Project involving an additional cost of Tk 90.63 crore; and Development of Bangladesh University of Processionals (2nd revised) Project costing an additional amount of Tk 346.32 crore. Ecnec approved another project under the Environment Ministry which is Innovation of improved technology to store ‘Agar regin’ in matured Agar Trees involving Tk 67.92 crore and the rest one is under the Power and Energy Ministry. The project, ‘Construction of gas distribution pipeline network in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Pirganj towns and adjacent areas’, involves Tk 258.11 crore. Also read: SDGs: PM says Bangladesh in top form for prudent planning During the approval of the projects, the Prime Minister stressed the need for using surface water instead of underground one in a larger way, rainwater harvesting as well as taking steps to keep crops cultivation and safe drinking water away from salinity, said MA Mannan. Sheikh Hasina said each and every public university needs to have a master plan and give proper importance to conducting quality research. There should be capping in the number of students of a university for the sake of ensuring the quality education, she added. The PM directed the authorities concerned to complete the construction work on Dhaka Bypass in a speedy manner, expediting the implementation of ‘Support to Joydevpur-Debgram-Bhulta-Madanpur road (Dhaka Bypass) PPP (1st revised) Project. In the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Hasina unveiled the cover of a book titled "Bangabandhu in Disaster Risk Reduction" focusing on different orders and directives of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his government in disaster risk management.

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday turned down a Tk 17,290.23-crore project designed to provide ‘Khichuri’ or other food items as midday meals to primary school students. “The project hasn’t been approved as the Prime Minister is concerned about its structure (modus operandi). She said cooking Khichuri in schools might hamper the study of students,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan. The minister was briefing reporters after an Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room in the city. Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Also read: All above 14 to get smart NIDs; Ecnec clears project The meeting, however, cleared nine other projects involving an estimated total cost of Tk 5,239.62 crore, the minister added. Of the cost, he said, some Tk 250 crore will come as loan from foreign sources. Among the nine projects, six are fresh and three others revised ones. About the midday meal project, Mannan said the project will not be placed for approval anymore, but new projects over the midday meal may come in different formats.