No improvement in power supply in two years

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THERE is no sign of an improvement of power supply in the country. It has been affecting all of us for more than two years. Recently, knitwear manufacturers once again expressed concern at the frequent power disruption affecting their production. They are failing to meet the growing demand for Bangladeshi products from buyers. The functionaries of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association say that they need to enhance production capacity by at least 20 per cent to meet the export orders they are receiving for various items.

Not only this sector, other ones also feel the need to increase their production capacity. But they are affected by power crisis. Manufacturers can withstand lowering of production briefly but not continuously.

In its initial days, the caretaker government showed some attempts to improve the situation without any positive results. It, however, took no realistic step to improve generation and supply of power. Steps like checking office attendance and shopping hours brought some impact to cut down peak time electricity use, in the initial days of the caretaker administration. Many of these restrictions are not strictly maintained anymore. The government failed to bring a change in behavioural pattern of the electricity users. It is now important for the government to improve the production and supply of electricity.

Wahidur Rahman

Azimpur

Dhaka