Dinajpur: Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood today criticized the past 17 years of governance for neglecting domestic energy resources and increasing reliance on imports. He emphasized that energy security could have been achieved by utilizing the country’s own resources during this period. Mahmood expressed these views to journalists after a meeting at the Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited office in Dinajpur.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Social Welfare Minister Prof. AZM Zahid Hossain and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit were also present at the meeting. Senior officials from the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited, and Madhyapara Hard Rock Mine attended the meeting. Dinajpur-5 lawmaker AZM Rezanul Haque and local BNP leaders were also present.
The three ministers engaged in detailed discussions about the current production status and various technical issues concerning the Barapukuria Coal Mine and Power Plant in Parbatipur upazila, Dinajpur. They highlighted the need to restart two idle units of the coal-based thermal power plant and emphasized increasing power generation through effective utilization of coal from the mine.
Later, the ministers visited key sites, including the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, coal mine sites in Durgapur upazila, and the Madhyapara Hard Rock Mine in Parbatipur upazila. A views-exchange meeting was held with mine authorities to discuss the current situation and explore the potential for increased production at the Madhyapara Hard Rock Mine. Senior officials were present for these discussions.