The Executive Committee on National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved six projects involving Tk 621 crore.

The projects are infrastructure development in greater Bogra, Rajshahi and Pabna districts under Local Government Division, rural infrastructure development in greater Comilla, Rangpur and Dinajpur districts and establishment of a girls' cadet college in Comilla under defence ministry.

The other projects are prevention of unification of Bangali and Jamuna rivers at Titparal and Debdanga points in Bogra district

under water resources ministry and construction of Konakhola-Kholamura-Hazratpur-Itvata-Hemayetpur road under communications ministry.

Of the total approved expenditure, Tk 430 crore was allocated for rural infrastructure development projects which include rural road construction, development of growth centre (planned village market), bridge and culvert construction.

The project summary cited that the projects would contribute to reducing rural poverty and flourishing rural economy.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia chaired the meeting at NEC conference hallin Dhaka.

Finance and Planning Minister and Alternative Chairman of Ecnec M Saifur Rahman, LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Health Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, Agriculture Minister MK Anwar, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, Post and Telecommunications Minister Aminul Haque, Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan and State Minister for Finance M Anwarul Kabir Talukdar attended the meeting.