PM asks for revising rates as per price rises

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday asked the authorities to revise rate schedules of development projects in line with the fluctuating prices of construction materials and currency-exchange rates.
At the same time, she cautioned the authorities against duplication of projects as sometimes more than one similar project are taken in the same area.
After the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on the day, planning minister MA Mannan briefed journalists about the PM's directions and the projects approved.
The premier also directed the authorities concerned to consider the latest exchange rate of the US dollar before preparing any development-project proposal for its fluctuation impact on implementation.
The ECNEC endorsed a total of 15 projects -- 14 new while the other revised -- involving an estimated cost of Tk 180.10 billion.
"Of the total cost, Tk 121.92 billion will come from government's internal resources, Tk 5.85 billion from implementing agencies' own funds and the rest Tk 52.33 billion from external resources as project assistance," said Mr Mannan.
Since prices of construction materials like rod, cement, stone and brick are fluctuating globally resulting in escalation of implementation costs, he said, the lower price estimation is affecting the timely project execution.
The PM has clearly directed finance ministry and other agencies concerned to address these issues.
Meanwhile, she has also directed law ministry to take necessary steps to dispose of tax-related pending cases aimed at realising revenues to enrich public funds.
If overlapped, there could be misuse of funds, Mannan said quoting the PM as saying.
Referring to the 'Amar Gram-Amar Shohor' project, approved on Tuesday, he said the PM asked not to undertake any similar project in future, calling for all agencies to work together on it.
Referring to Urirchar-Noakhali Cross Dam project, Mr Mannan said the PM strongly asked water resources ministry to remain cautious in coastal areas on creating any disturbance to adjacent islands and water channels.
Calling for steps to preserve seasonal vegetables and fruits, Sheikh Hasina said countries like Thailand and Vietnam have become successful in fruit export business after preserving and bottling fruits.
Such process can also be followed in Bangladesh, according to the head of government.
The ECNEC approved a Tk 8.00-billion 'Amar Gram-Amar Shohor: Pilot Village Development project' in a bid to extend modern civic facilities to villages.
The Local Government Engineering Department and the Department of Public Health Engineering will co-pilot the project at 15 selected villages by June 2026.
Under the project, the agencies will construct roads at upazila, union and rural roads; construct growth centers, rural market and agri product collection centers; ensure water supply, sanitation and integrated waste management plant; set up upazila multipurpose sports and cultural centers, playing grounds at schools; develop rural accommodation, excavate canals and ponds; install street lamps; supply Bondhu Chula and Biogas plants; social afforestation; and branding the villages.
The meeting endorsed other projects, including Boropukuria-Bogura-Kaliakoir 400kV transmission line (2nd revised) with an additional Tk 57.53 billion, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Film City (2nd phase) at Tk 3.80 billion and the establishment of Sylhet Medical University at Tk 20.36 billion.

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