DHAKA, Sept 18, 2024 (BSS) - The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a total of four development projects involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 1,222.14 crore.

The approval was given at the 2nd meeting of the ECNEC in this fiscal year (FY25) and the 1st of the interim government after the fall of Sheikh Hasina led past Awami League government following the student-led mass uprising in July-August.

Chief Adviser to the interim government Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting held at the Chief Adviser's Office in the city's Tejgaon area.

Briefing reporters after the meeting at the NEC Conference Room in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, Adviser to the Ministries of Planning and Education Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said that out of the overall outlay of Taka 1,222.14 crore, Taka 963.82 crore will come from the government of Bangladesh portion, Taka 100.16 crore as project assistance while the rest of Taka 158.16 crore from the concerned organization's own fund.

The two new approved projects are- "Two Appraisal Cum Development Wells (Sundalpur-4 & Srikail-5) and Two Exploratory Wells (Sundalpur South-1 & Jamalur-1)" with Taka 588.40 crore and "Sustainable Social Services Delivery in Chattogram Hill Tracts (2nd Phase)" Project with Taka 400 crore.

Besides, two other revised projects are- "Bakhrabad-Meghnaghat-Haripur Gas Transmission Pipeline, 1st revised" with an additional cost of Taka 70.63 crore and "Tottho Apa: Empowering Women Through ICT Towards Digital Bangladesh Project, 2nd phase and 2nd revised" with an additional cost of Taka 163.11 crore with the project timeframe reducing to one year.

Besides, the Adviser said the title of the Tottho Apa project would be changed.

Advisers and Secretaries concerned attended the meeting.

Earlier, the last ECNEC meeting was held on July 2 under the previous Awami League government at the Planning Commission.