প্রকাশ: 05/07/2022
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said she is thinking
of introducing area-based load shedding for a specific time to save the fuel
that is used for power generation, reports UNB.
"Today, I think that I will tell (authority concerned)
to reduce electricity production for some time (everyday) to save the fuel that
is used for power generation," she said.
The prime minister said this at a function at the PGR
Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment to mark the President's Guard Regiment's (PGR)
founding anniversary. She joined the programme from her official residence
Ganobhaban.
She said that the country witnessed 8-10 hours of power cuts
in the past from where her government, taking over office in 2009, increased
the electricity generation ensuring an uninterrupted power supply in the
country.
She mentioned that the government has accomplished a feat
reaching electricity to every house.
The PM said there won't be any indiscriminate load shedding.
It will be announced earlier for a specific area and for a specific time, she
added.
"If we specify the time for load shedding for specific
areas... If we take that step from now on... we will be able to save ourselves
from the much harder days coming ahead," she said.
Talking about the recent economic turmoil across the globe
due to the impact of coronavirus pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, she said that
the prices of fuel oil have soared.
As a result, that there is scarcity of power in many
countries around the world, she said.
She said that the prices of electricity-producing like
diesel, fuel oil, LNG, have increased heavily.
Besides, transportation has been hampered due to the
Russia-Ukraine war compounding the crisis, she said. She added that even coal
is not available.
Hasina reiterated her call to maintain austerity and
increase savings which will be beneficial to face any type of crisis in the
future.
"If every family resorts to pro-savings mentality and
utilise their own lands for optimum productivity (of food grains), it will
bring positive results," she said.
She reiterated her call not to leave single inch of land
uncultivated and make sure no water body remains unutilised.
"All empty places have to be utilised for production,
whatever it is. We have to try to produce our own food to reduce pressure on
the market and make profit through selling the surplus foods," the premier
said.
She said that every person, family and organisation have to
take that step.
"I think, if we take this step then we will be able to
save ourselves from the ongoing economic shock worldwide."
Hasina said that many countries including America and
Britain facing higher inflation amid scarcity of power.
"We have to remain alert from the very beginning, if we
remain cautious inshallah we will not face any problem,'' she asserted. "I
can say that and I will request everyone to do so."
Talking about the development of the armed forces following
the Forces Goal 2030, the prime minister said, "We will not fight with any
one, we want peace, the father of the nation gave us the defence policy which
is friendship to all, malice to none. We follow that policy."
"But as an independent country we have to ensure all
sorts of preparations, especially build up the organisations that are the
symbols of the independence and sovereignty. We have taken steps for that and
are implementing those," she said.
She also said that her life has always been in grave risk
while repeated attempts were made after she came back in Bangladesh.
"Many leaders and activities sacrificed their lives to
protect me forming human shield," she said.
Turning to the opening of the Padma Bridge she said,
Bangladesh constructed the much-cherished bridge with its own resources.
"Those who wanted to malign Bangladesh, or humiliate me
and my family members, minister, advisor and secretary through corruption
allegations have got a befitting reply after we built the bridge with our own
fund," she said.
The PM said "Padma Bridge is the expression of our
independence, sovereignty and unique ethnicity."
She mentioned that this one decision changed the attitude of
the whole world regarding Bangladesh.
Referring to those who thought that Bangladesh means begging
and grants, Hasina said "We have proven that Bangladesh is the country
that got liberated under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman and Bengali nation never bows to anyone."
"... it will not beg to anyone, we will advance on our
own, we are trying to move forward like that way we have gained significant
self-reliance economically," said the premier.
She said that the government has been able to reduce
poverty, provide electricity to all houses. It is implementing projects to
ensure no one remains homeless.
Talking about flood in the Sylhet region, she said that the
flood water is coming downstream and now it is in the middle region of the
country.
"It will gradually flow down to the southern region
where vast areas may be inundated. It takes time for flood water to recede
while the water level of the sea rises one inch," she said.
She said that any calamity can come anytime and the father
of the nation taught the nation how to face that. "We are tackling that
calamity following his footsteps," she said.
The PM called for going all out for staring cultivation of
crops after the flood recedes. It must be ensured that no food shortage occurs.
"We have attained the status of a developing nation and
we have to go farther. We have adopted plans like Delta Plan 2100 for a better
future for the next generations," she said.
She urged all to follow the Covid-19 safety measures as the
infections are increasing.
- UNB
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