Dhaka: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a Taka 5,452.42 crore feeding programme for government primary schools to ensure the intake of nutritious foods by primary school students and reduce their malnutrition. The approval came from an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus presiding.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud briefed reporters after the meeting, stating that the day’s meeting approved a total of 15 projects with an overall estimated cost of Taka 21,139.45 crore. Of the total project cost, Taka 14,193.57 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh, Taka 6,539.29 crore as project loans, and the remaining Taka 406.59 crore from the concerned organization’s own funds.
Of the approved 15 projects, seven are new while eight are revised projects. The school feeding programme aims to enhance enrollment and presence of students at primary schools while helping them complete their primary education. Under the programme, some 3.13 million students at 19,419 primary schools in 150 upazilas will receive nutritious foods like fortified biscuits, bananas/seasonal fruits, buns, eggs, and UHT milk on five working days a week.
The project areas under 150 upazilas in 62 districts of eight divisions have been selected based on the poverty mapping of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2022. Commenting on the project, the Planning Adviser said that strict management and monitoring would be ensured during the distribution of dry foods among primary students to prevent their sale in local markets.
He stated that UNOs would be tasked to properly monitor the programme to ensure students receive the food items. “This programme will help ensure student nutrition, address dropouts, and keep students in school,” he added.
The Planning Adviser also mentioned discussions during the meeting about determining the actual volume of land owned by various government entities to ensure optimum utilization. He noted that government agencies like Bangladesh Railway, Bangladesh Water Development Board, and Zilla Parishad own significant land, and new projects could be undertaken on those lands in suitable locations.
Furthermore, the Planning Commission might initiate an integrated river infrastructure management programme to ensure optimal use of surface water. The Ministry of Water Resources is expected to take a project to revive ten rivers in the country, including Korotoa, Bhagor, and Titas, aiming to free them from encroachers.
The Planning Adviser also highlighted that the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning would be strengthened, and the progress of all projects would be posted online to expedite implementation. Amendments to the government procurement policy were approved to bring transparency and enhance competition in the tender process. The tendering process for projects will be made entirely online in the coming days.
Regarding the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant project, the Planning Adviser noted that its revised project has been approved conditionally, emphasizing the need to utilize surface water fully instead of relying on groundwater. He also commented on the Payra Sea Port project’s second revision, describing it as economically challenging due to the long channel requiring costly annual dredging.
Other approved projects include the construction of the first terminal and ancillary facilities at Payra Sea Port, enhancing the strengths of Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, land acquisition for a sewerage treatment plant in Chattogram, and strengthening institutions for climate change-adapted water resource management in Dhaka. Additionally, projects like the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant, Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, and others were approved with revised costs.
The meeting also approved time extensions for three projects, and attendees were apprised of the prior approval of 13 projects by the Planning Adviser. Advisers concerned, Planning Commission members, and secretaries attended the meeting.