Govt’s 3-yr power target may not be achieved-Muhith tells editors

Staff Correspondent

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said it is unlikely that Awami League would be able to fulfill its election pledge to raise electricty generation by 1,000 megawatts (MW) in the country by the next three years.
“The target of raising the generation of power in three years may or may not be achieved,” Muhith said in response to questions raised by the editors of leading dailies and news agencies about the nagging power crisis at a pre-budget meeting at finance ministry. He expressed doubt that power generation could be increased to 5,000 MW within the next three years as promised by Awami League before the election.
AL, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the power generation from the present 4000 MW to 7,000 MW during the government’s five-year tenure. Muhith said power is very important for all development activities. He said Siddhirganj Power Plant would be commissioned soon and a substantial supply of power would be available from it.
Regarding Phulbari coal mine, he said a decision in this regard would taken soon after consultations with the people of the area to improve its energy situation. Muhith also praised some good initiatives taken by the caretaker government to increase power generation. Some electricity has been added to the national grid from rental power plants.
The finance minister also said, “The next budget would be big as we will have to give incentives to different sectors to tackle the world economic recession.” Budgetary allocation in social safety nets, power and the agriculture sector would increase, he said. During the discussion on the budget, editors urged the finance minister to lay emphasis on the power sector and employment generation sectors. Stressing on proper implementation of the budget, the editors said care is taken in collecting revenue but not on it’s spending.
Editor of the Financial Express Moazzem Hossain, The Independent editor Mahbubul Alam, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, Channel i Managing editor Faridur Reza Sagar, bdnews24.com editor Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Sangbad editor Altamash Kabir and Manabjamin editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury took part in the discussion.
Prime Minister’s finance and planning advisor Dr Mashiur Rahman, Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, Jugantor editor Salma Islam, The Bangladesh Today editor Mahmudur Rahman Chowdhury, Finance Secretary Mohammad Tareque, NBR chairman Nasiruddin Ahmed and Economic Relations Division Secretary Mosharraf Hossain were also present.


Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Link : http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=83561
Date: 10 April 2009