Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today announced that the government has initiated a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at advancing the country's power and energy sectors, with certain elements presently undergoing review.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister shared these details while responding to a supplementary query from treasury bench member Md Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan (Cumilla-10) during a question-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad. He elaborated, "We have already adopted a plan outlining what the government will do for the energy and power sectors over the next 10 years. Some examinations and reviews are underway."
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Energy Ministry will soon present a detailed outline to Parliament and the public, illustrating the strategic initiatives intended to transform the power and energy sectors. This is part of a broader goal to elevate Bangladesh to a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.
Addressing another supplementary question from opposition lawmaker Sabikun Nahar Munni regarding open-pit coal mining, the Prime Minister explained that the government's strategy to resolve the energy crisis prioritizes the welfare of citizens and environmental sustainability. He highlighted the high-quality coal reserves at Phulbari, noting their potential to alleviate the energy shortage while conserving foreign currency.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of resettling affected communities and ensuring their livelihoods are preserved. "If open-pit mining is undertaken, naturally there are homes and agricultural land in the area. As we do politics for the country and its people, our first consideration will be how to resettle those people," he stated. He assured that all decisions would be made with due consideration to environmental concerns and the potential benefits for the communities involved.
The session, chaired by Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, commenced at 3:30 pm. During the 30-minute question-answer segment allocated for the Prime Minister, he addressed four out of eight written questions alongside six supplementary questions.