Criticism of action plan on power unwarranted: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the criticism of the government's action plan for quick and rental power by a section of talk-show participants is unwarranted, reports BSS.
"Those talk-show participants have forgotten previous sufferings of scorching heat sitting in the air-conditioned room," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating six projects of the power sector including four power plants in different parts of the country through video conference with local parliament members, officials and political leaders from her official residence Gonobhaban here on Sunday afternoon.
About 70 per cent people of the country now have access to electricity as power generation increased to over 13,000 megawatt (MW) from 3200 MW within six years. It was possible due to quick and pragmatic steps taken by the present government, the Prime Minister said.
She extended her sincere thanks to the officials and employees of the power and energy ministry for their tireless efforts for increased electricity generation and relieve the country of nagging power outage within a short span of time.
"Many people can say many things. But it was very difficult to take quick decision and execute those when the countrymen, even the people of the capital city, were suffering from acute power crisis," she said.
The four power plants are: Natore 52.20 MW furnace oil based power station, Gagonnagar, (Narayanganj) 102 MW furnace oil based IPP power station, Ghorashal (Narsingdi) 108 MW gas based power station and Katpatti (Munshiganj) 52.50 MW furnace oil based power station.
Out of those power stations, the Katpatti ( Munsiganj) 52.50 MW furnace oil based power station was commissioned yesterday while generation in three others began last year. The power stations added about 315 MW power to the national grid.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the 400 KV transmission line from Meghnaghat to Aminbazar and Lalbagh 132/33/11KV substation. PM's advisor on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu and Secretary of the Power Division Monwar Islam also spoke on the occasion.
PM's advisor H T Imam, Food Minister Quamrul Islam, state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and senior officials of the power division and Prime Minister Office were present.
The Prime Minister said now country's power generation capacity stands at 13,265 MW which was more than 3,000MW in 2009. In 1996, she said, the generation capacity was only 1600 MW. Awami League during its five-year tenure propelled the capacity to 4300 MW.
But during the regime of BNP and caretaker government, generation capacity came down to 3000 MW sending the country to a horrible situation. Seven years elapsed from the life of the people and demand had been multiplied. But production did not increase. In such a situation, many people thought it difficult, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said energy is the main component of development and every activity of the citizens is dependent on it. Now demand of the people has changed as they want electricity while once they eked only for food and house.
Sheikh Hasina said the main objective of her government is to expedite the development. So steps were taken for construction of power plants in different parts of the country, she said.
The Prime Minister said her government first had taken decision for power production in private sector and captive power generation after coming to power in 1996 and necessary laws were framed in this regard for installation of small, medium power plants and engage private sector.
She called for giving emphasis on solar energy and said the government has taken initiatives to use solar power for irrigation.
Pointing out the progress on construction of the nuclear power plant, she said steps were taken for purchasing 500MW power from India, setting an example of regional cooperation in power sector.
From Indian State of West Bengal, she said, more 500MW power will be purchased and 100 MW power from Agartala. Besides, steps are being taken to import electricity from Nepal, Bhutan and promote regional cooperation in energy sector.