Deal with Cairn 'suicidal'
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
The government's contract to sell gas to a third party is suicidal because it will endanger the country's energy security, the National Committee on Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has warned, reports UNB.
It also said the tabled of speedy increase of supply of power & energy (Special Provision) bill 2010 at parliament is against the national interest.
The energy ministry on Sunday signed a deal with Cairn Energy, under which the Scottish company will have rights to sell natural gas directly to private buyers.
Professor Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the national committee, declared the programmes, including a road march towards Barapukuria-Phulbari, at a news conference at Mukti Bhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The national committee composed of left-leaning professionals and politicians is set to hold a protest rally at Muktangan on Tuesday against the government measures.
The programmes start from Oct 24 from Dhaka and end on Oct 30 at Phulbari of Dinajpur.
Convenor of the committee, Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, said: "The government is serving the interest of a multinational company. They don't even think about the people of the country."
So, he said, the people have to mobilise to throw up resistance against the governmenst actions.
Prof Muhammad, protesting the planned sale of gas to third party, said the energy ministry is acting against the nation's will through such contract, which will push the gas price and put the power and industry sectors in great difficulties.
He pointed out that the main obstacle to energy security and resolution of the power crisis is the amount of influence the foreign companies exert on the energy ministry.
The national committee will organise views-exchange meetings at Pragati conference room of Mukti Bhaban from Oct 1 to 13 to make the long march successful.
Former Supreme Court judge Muhammad Golam Rabbani and convenor of Gana Front Tipu Biswas, among others, were present in the conference.
It also said the tabled of speedy increase of supply of power & energy (Special Provision) bill 2010 at parliament is against the national interest.
The energy ministry on Sunday signed a deal with Cairn Energy, under which the Scottish company will have rights to sell natural gas directly to private buyers.
Professor Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the national committee, declared the programmes, including a road march towards Barapukuria-Phulbari, at a news conference at Mukti Bhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The national committee composed of left-leaning professionals and politicians is set to hold a protest rally at Muktangan on Tuesday against the government measures.
The programmes start from Oct 24 from Dhaka and end on Oct 30 at Phulbari of Dinajpur.
Convenor of the committee, Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, said: "The government is serving the interest of a multinational company. They don't even think about the people of the country."
So, he said, the people have to mobilise to throw up resistance against the governmenst actions.
Prof Muhammad, protesting the planned sale of gas to third party, said the energy ministry is acting against the nation's will through such contract, which will push the gas price and put the power and industry sectors in great difficulties.
He pointed out that the main obstacle to energy security and resolution of the power crisis is the amount of influence the foreign companies exert on the energy ministry.
The national committee will organise views-exchange meetings at Pragati conference room of Mukti Bhaban from Oct 1 to 13 to make the long march successful.
Former Supreme Court judge Muhammad Golam Rabbani and convenor of Gana Front Tipu Biswas, among others, were present in the conference.