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The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 11 projects involving an expenditure of Tk 7,712 crore. Of this amount, Tk 2,428 crore will come as project loans, while the rest will be financed by the government.

The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting held on Sunday (August 17) at the NEC conference room in the Planning Commission premises, with Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus presiding.

According to Planning Commission documents, the projects presented for approval included five new projects, three revised projects, and three projects that received extensions without additional costs.

The meeting was attended by Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Energy Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, along with secretaries and officials of the respective ministries.

The approved projects cover sectors such as agriculture, education, health, housing, power, telecommunications, and local government. These include:

1. Sustainable agricultural development in Rangpur region through expansion of modern technology (Ministry of Agriculture)
2. Modernization and capacity enhancement of 33/11 kV outdoor substations in existing industrial areas (Bangladesh Power Development Board under Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources)
3. Modernization of power substations in industrial areas of Carew & Co (BD) Ltd. (Ministry of Industries)
4. Establishment of Rabindra University, Bangladesh (Ministry of Education)
5. Establishment of Burn & Plastic Surgery Units at Sylhet, Barisal, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Faridpur Medical College Hospitals (Ministry of Health)
6. Construction of multi-storey residential flats for government employees inside Azimpur Government Colony (Zone-C) (Ministry of Housing and Public Works)
7. Construction of multi-storey residential buildings for officials and employees of Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate (Ministry of Home Affairs)
8. Two projects under the Ministry of Local Government:
   a) Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply (3rd revised)
   b) Expansion and improvement of safe water supply and sanitation systems in Bandarban Municipality, three upazilas, and surrounding areas (1st revised)
9. Establishment of a telecommunications network in Mirsarai Economic Zone, Chattogram (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications)
10. Construction of mini-stadiums at upazila level (2nd phase) (Ministry of Youth and Sports).

The meeting was also informed about nine projects previously approved under the discretionary power of the Planning Adviser. These are:

1. 100% reliable and sustainable electrification of Hatiya, Nijhum Dwip, and Kutubdia islands (2nd revised)
2. Installation of smart pre-payment meters in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions under NESCO (1st revised)
3. Infrastructure development of two municipalities in Barguna district
4. Development of disaster-damaged rural roads in three hill districts (2nd revised)
5. Infrastructure development of Langalbandh Mahanashtami festival (2nd revised)
6. Increasing production of oilseed crops (2nd revised)
7. Important rural infrastructure development in Sylhet division (2nd revised)
8. Waterlogging mitigation in Kopotakkho River and adjacent areas (Phase-2) (1st revised)
9. Skills-based literacy for out-of-school adolescents (2nd revised).