Tk 7.61 billion project set for Ecnec nod today

The government is set to construct 804 flats for the families of the July-August uprising martyrs, with the Tk 7.61 billion project expected to be approved at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to preside over the event. The National Housing Authority (NHA) would build the flats, measuring 1,355 square feet each, in Mirpur Section-14 of Dhaka city by June 2029, officials said on Saturday. Each flat will consist of two bedrooms, a drawing room, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, and three bathrooms.

According to the NHA project proposal, it would construct six 14-story residential buildings comprising 600 flats, and twelve 10-story buildings with 204 flats.

"We've already scrutinised the Tk 7.61 billion project. Now it has been recommended for placement before the ECNEC meeting," said a senior Planning Commission (PC) official.

He is optimistic about the approval of the project at today's meeting.

The flats would be handed over to the families of those who sacrificed their lives during the uprising, ultimately leading to the fall of autocratic Sheikh Hasina-government, the PC official said.

Meanwhile, the interim government has so far listed a total of 834 martyrs, most of whom are students. Besides, a total of 10,642 students and people from different walks of life were injured during the movement. Of them 3,098 were injured in Dhaka division, 1,927 in Chattogram division, 1,315 in Rangpur division, 1,195 in Khulna division, 1,093 in Rajshahi division, 772 in Barishal division, 708 in Sylhet division and 534 were in Mymensingh division, the government statistics shows.

The government is currently offering various forms of assistance to the families of the martyrs and those who were fatally injured.

Each of the family has been offered a one-time grant of Tk 3.0 million in addition to a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000. The initiative to provide new flats is part of the broader support programme.

An allocation of Tk 4.05 billion has been proposed in the national budget for the current fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 for the welfare of martyrs' families and the injured. This fund will cover one-time grants, monthly honoraria, medical allowances, housing, and employment generation.

kabirhumayan10@gmail.com