Govt gives top priority to power sectors: Mannan

State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan Saturday said the government is committed to supplying electricity in each and every house of the country within five years, reports BSS.
"The present government has given top priority to power sector and is implementing large scale development works to meet up the demand of the electricity," the minister said speaking as the chief guest at a views exchange meeting on power supply in Mymensingh.
Power Development Board (PDB) organised the meeting held in Language Martyred Abdul Jabber auditorium with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mustakim Billah Faruquee in the chair. Secretary of Energy Division Monwarul Islam and Chairman of Rural Electrification Board (REB) Brigadier General Main uddin addressed the meeting as special guests.
The state minister said the present government has significantly increased the production of electricity.
He urged all concerned to take strong steps against illegal power connections and the pilferage of electricity for the greater interest of the country. He also called upon the consumers and public representatives to come forward in this regard.
Referring to the existing problems of the power sector, M A Mannan said the government is working relentlessly to resolve those problems.
In his speech, the Energy Secretary said the government has so far imported 500 MW power from India. Besides, the government is likely to import additional power from India, he said adding that the feasibility study has already begun in this regard.
He said system loss in power sector has reduced remarkably.
The ministry has taken initiatives to modernnise the system of bill collection and introduce digital prepaid meter riding system, which would help stop meter tempering, he added.
Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and officers and employees of PDB and REB, mayors of municipalities and local journalists attended the meeting.