Find out strategy to reduce subsidy in the industries: PM

To curb waste and theft, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to gradually reduce subsidies on gas and electricity in the commercial sector, especially where large scale industrial plants are being set up.

She made the remarks at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday (February 22nd).

The Prime Minister presided over the meeting by joining the NEC conference room via video conference from Ganobhaban. After the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan and State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam presented the Prime Minister's instructions.

The project 'Smart Pre-Payment Metering Project in Distribution Zone of Bangladesh Power Development Board' was approved at a cost of Tk 619.3 crore. The Prime Minister gave these instructions while discussing the project.

Elaborating on the Prime Minister's statement, the Planning Minister said that those who use electricity and gas in big sectors are not poor. Those who live in Gulshan are not poor. That is why she has asked to reduce the subsidy on gas and electricity in the big industrial sectors. She also called for a strategy to reduce subsidies.

The Minister said that subsidy is not the solution of any civilized country. So we have to gradually move away from gas-electricity subsidy. However, subsidies on gas and electricity for agriculture and low-income people will continue. However, subsidies for the rich will gradually drop out.

The planning minister said the prime minister has instructed the ECNEC meeting to ensure modern waste management in all government hospitals. The ECNEC chairperson also urged to bring discipline in private hospitals.

The Minister said that the Prime Minister has instructed to launch Five G service. Strengthen the Four G service as well. Besides, the Prime Minister asked to take the initiative to launch the second Bangabandhu satellite quickly. Apart from this, she has directed to set up a separate body to supervise all the novo theaters. The Prime Minister said that the issue of separate entities should be checked first.