ECNEC okays projects worth Tk 7.20b

The government's top economic policy making panel approved on Tuesday four development projects with a combined outlay of Tk 7.20 billion, reports BSS.
The approval came at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting held in the city with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
"Of the total project cost, the government will provide Taka 5.64 billion from the national exchequer while Taka 1.56 billion will come as project assistance," Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal told reporters after the meeting.
He said the ECNEC endorsed Rural Electrification Expansion Activities in Barisal Division-I (1st Revised) project involving Taka 3.31 billion.
Mr Kamal said that the project started in July, 2010 with a cost of Taka 2.67 billion and IDB was 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 3.31 billion.
The Planning Minister said the project cost has increased due to rise in currency exchange rate and currency price in the international market.
Under the project, nearly 2,200 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 2,200 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 441 million, 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 1.98 billion) and Construction of 19 Regional Passport Office Buildings.