The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a Tk 54.52 billion school feeding program to provide nutritious food to primary school students, aiming to reduce malnutrition and improve attendance.

The approval came during an ECNEC meeting on Sunday, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Briefing reporters, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said the meeting approved 15 projects with a total cost of Tk 211.39 billion.

The school feeding program will benefit 3.13 million students in 19,419 primary schools across 150 upazilas. Students will receive fortified biscuits, fruits, buns, eggs, and milk five days a week. The selection of project areas was based on poverty mapping from the 2022 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

Dr Mahmud emphasized strict monitoring to prevent misuse of food supplies. Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) will oversee distribution to ensure students receive the intended nutrition. He said the initiative would help address dropout rates and keep children in school.

The meeting also discussed optimizing government land use and enhancing river management. Dr Mahmud noted that unutilized land owned by government agencies, including closed jute and sugar mills, could be repurposed for new projects.

Additionally, plans to revive 10 rivers, including Korotoa, Bhagor, and Titas, are in consideration to address water management issues. The government aims to shift towards utilizing surface water instead of groundwater for long-term sustainability.