The state minister for power and energy yesterday told the Jatiya Sangsad that legal actions should be taken against those who looted public money in the power sector during the immediate past BNP-led alliance government’s tenure.
The alliance government spent Tk 13,512 crore in the sector and generated only 565 MW electricity. But the previous Awami League government had spent Tk 8,068 crore and generated 1,570 MW electricity, Shamsul Haque Tuku said.
“It means they (alliance men) looted public money in the power sector,” he said replying to lawmakers’ queries.
Lawmakers participating in the question-answer session demanded expansion of power supply network in their constituencies as per their election pledge.
In response, the state minister said the government has plans to build new power transmission lines to provide new electricity connection.
As forecast in the power system master plan in 2006, the expected demand for electricity will be 6,066 MW by 2009, 9,768 MW by 2015 and 13,993 MW by 2020.
To meet the urgent demand for electricity, the state minister informed the House, short-term measures are being taken. These include setting up independent power plants in Habiganj for generating 11 MW, in Feni for 33 MW, Ullapara 11 MW, Maona 33 MW, Barobkunda 22 MW, Rupganj 33 MW and in Jangalia for 33 MW within this year.
At present production of electricity stands at 4,000 MW against the demand for 4,000 to 5200 MW, he told a questioner.
The government plans to increase power generation to 5,000 MW by 2011 and 7,000 MW by 2013 as per its electoral manifesto.
The national power grid will have another 700 MW electricity by June, he said.
The state minister also informed the House that 45 percent of the total population are now getting electricity.
The government has plans to bring all villages under power supply system by 2020, he said.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics, Daily Bangladesh News, News, Politics
