The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved four development projects with an outlay of Taka 720.70 crore.
The approval came from today’s ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in city’s Sher-e-Banglanagar with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
“Of the total project cost, the government will provide Taka 564.70 crore from the national exchequer while Taka 156 crore will come as project assistance,” Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal told reporters after the meeting.
He said the ECNEC approved Rural Electrification Expansion Activities in Barisal Division-I (1st Revised)” project involving Taka 331.80 crore.
Kamal informed that the project was started in July, 2010 with the cost of Taka 267.72 crore and IDB had supposed to provide US$ 20 million for it. But, the project was not implemented in 2013 due to fund constraint as the IDB didn’t reach any agreement with the government. Later, On June 24, 2014, the government has signed agreement with the IDB for the financing and project implementing period has been extended to June, 2016 with the revised project cost of Taka 331.80 crore.
The Planning Minister said the project cost has been increased due to the raising of currency exchange rate and currency price in international market.
Under the project, nearly 2200 km new transmission line will be installed while 300 km line is needed to be renovated.
“Additional 73,000 km electric transmission has to be installed with the construction of 2200 km new transmission line in Barisal Division towards ensuring the electricity available to all the villages across the country,” added Mustafa Kamal.
The ECNEC approved another project titled “Breed Up-gradation Through Progeny Test (3rd Phase)” involving Taka 44.13 crore, which aims to increase annual milk production rate to 10 per cent from 3 per cent towards ensuring daily 150 ml milk per person by 2021.
Department of Livestock Services (DLS) is entrusted to implement the project by June, 2019.
The another two revised projects approved by the ECNEC are River Bank maintenance to protect the Ramgati and Kamalanagar upazilas and adjoining areas of Laxmipur district from the erosion of the Meghna River (Taka 198.02 crore) and Construction of 19 Regional Passport Office Buildings.
Ministers, State Ministers, secretaries and high officials were present in the meeting.
