Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus announced on Wednesday that projects initiated for political purposes under previous governments would be reconsidered.
He emphasised that the government would prioritise reconstruction efforts in flood-affected areas moving forward.
Dr Yunus made these remarks while addressing the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
He presided over the meeting, which was the second ECNEC session of the fiscal year (FY25) and the first under the interim government following the fall of the Awami League administration led by Sheikh Hasina, after the student-led mass uprising in July-August.
The Chief Adviser stressed that unnecessary mega projects would be cancelled, and the government would focus on “people-friendly” initiatives. He reiterated that all information regarding approved projects would be made publicly available to ensure transparency.
The ECNEC approved four development projects with a total estimated cost of Tk 1,222.14 crore. Out of this, Tk 963.82 crore will be sourced from the government of Bangladesh, Tk 100.16 crore will come as project assistance, and Tk 158.16 crore will be provided by the concerned organisations’ own funds.
The two newly approved projects include two Appraisal Cum Development Wells (Sundalpur-4 & Srikail-5) and Two Exploratory Wells (Sundalpur South-1 & Jamalur-1), with an allocation of Tk 588.40 crore and sustainable Social Services Delivery in Chattogram Hill Tracts (2nd Phase), with a budget of Tk 400 crore.
Additionally, two revised projects were approved including Bakhrabad-Meghnaghat-Haripur Gas Transmission Pipeline (1st revision), with an additional Tk 70.63 crore and Tottho Apa: Empowering Women Through ICT Towards Digital Bangladesh Project (2nd phase and 2nd revision), with an additional Tk 163.11 crore, though its timeframe has been shortened by one year.
The project title will also be changed, according to the Planning and Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, who briefed reporters after the meeting.
The ECNEC meeting was attended by relevant advisers and secretaries.