Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday chaired the 10th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for the 2025-26 fiscal year at the Bangladesh Secretariat, where he directed stricter financial discipline and closer scrutiny of development projects.
The meeting was held at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat in the morning, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said the Prime Minister issued clear instructions to ensure that all development projects are carefully examined before approval.
He said the premier emphasised that every project must align with the government’s election manifesto and broader development goals aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“The Prime Minister has directed that the government must maintain austerity in spending. The necessity and eligibility of each expenditure must be strictly determined before approval,” he said.
Zonayed Saki added that the directive signals a move towards stronger oversight of public funds and greater accountability in project implementation.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also stressed that development initiatives must prioritise public welfare and sustainability.
He instructed authorities to ensure that projects are environmentally sound and contribute to long-term national development.
The state minister said the government is already conducting audits and reviews of ongoing projects to ensure consistency with national priorities. The Prime Minister also ordered investigations into delays in the implementation of several projects.
Ministers and ECNEC members, including LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, attended the meeting.
Senior officials from relevant ministries were also present.
Officials said the latest directives reflect the government’s focus on ensuring prudent use of public resources while accelerating sustainable and people-oriented development.
