Power deficit far more than govt estimate: Rights gr.

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FE Report
A rights group Friday accused the government of deliberately keeping power-gas crisis unresolved to serve the interest of foreign agencies.
The leaders of Oil-Gas Mineral Resources and Power-Port Protection National Committee made the remarks at a press conference at Mukti Bhaban in the city.
BD Rahmatullah, former Director General of power cell said, "According to the government's statistics, our power demand is 6000 megawatt and shortage is 2500 megawatt while according to Rural Electric Cooperative and FBCCI, the total power demand is 8000 and shortage is 4500 including suppressed demand."
"The percentage of the shortfall is 42 as per the government data while it is 75 per cent according to the other count."
He said the total production of gas per day is 1900-1980 million cubic feet per day against a demand for 2300 million cubic feet. The shortage is around 350 million cubic feet.
He recommended that the power crisis could be reduced by using CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp), IMC (Intelligent Motor Controller), balusters, capacitor, repair of old power station and increased use of renewable energy.
The leaders demanded enactment of the natural resource export protection law.
They also demanded formulation of a new policy for coal exploration and water resources. It should ensure protection of farm land and habitat before allowing the use of land for coal exploration.
The committee president Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah said, "We will stage demonstration and meeting on April 12 on the demand for a solution to power crisis.
The committee laid out an elaborate programme, which include mass contact on April 18 and demonstration in Dhaka on April 20, signature campaign on April 30.
Prof Anu Mohammad was among others present at the press conference.