Dhaka:The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 13 development projects amounting to Tk58,088 crore. Among these, the Fifth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5) is the most significant, with an estimated cost of Tk41,904.48 crore, aimed at enhancing primary education nationwide.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the ECNEC meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, also reviewed four projects, returning them for further examination. State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki reported that a total of 17 projects were presented, with 13 receiving approval.
The PEDP-5 project includes initiatives such as establishing new primary schools, renovating existing ones, providing teacher training, and introducing multimedia classrooms. It also covers the 'One Teacher, One Tab' initiative, the 'One Child, One Tree' programme, and provides school uniforms, shoes, educational materials, midday meals, and extracurricular activities. The Planning Commission questioned several expenditure items, including Tk436 crore for consultancy services, and sought cost rationalization.
In addition to PEDP-5, ECNEC approved a project for drilling two wells at the Titas Gas Field for Tk592 crore and constructing small bridges and culverts on rural roads for Tk523.34 crore. It also sanctioned the Social Religious Institutions Development Project for Tk2,565.59 crore and a revised rural infrastructure development project with an additional Tk1,047.92 crore.
Two projects aimed at strengthening the Bangladesh Police were approved, involving the purchase of operational vehicles for Tk4,328 crore and specialized vehicles and equipment for Tk2,280.14 crore. Other approvals include constructing flats for army officers and government employees, establishing institutes of nuclear medicine, and ensuring safe water supply and sanitation in the Barind region.
The ECNEC also approved an innovation project on climate-smart urban development, financed by a German grant, costing Tk87 crore. Four projects were sent back for further review, including those related to municipal development and Dhaka's water security.
The government emphasized the need for rationalizing consultancy costs within PEDP-5 and implementing measures to enhance accountability in development projects. Institutional checks and balances are being strengthened with the introduction of a software-based system using artificial intelligence to scrutinize project expenditure.