Dr Shafiq for joint task force to tackle energy crisis

 
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has proposed forming a task force comprising representatives from the government and opposition to tackle the ongoing electricity and 
gas crisis.

He said the opposition is ready to cooperate with the government in resolving the crisis. If necessary, technical experts from the opposition can also be included in the process, he added.

Shafiqur Rahman made the remarks while taking part in a general discussion on the electricity and gas crisis in the National Parliament on Monday night.

The discussion was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal. Lawmakers discussed disruptions in electricity production, the crisis facing industries and factories, and its impact on the national economy.

Shafiqur Rahman said the electricity and gas crisis is directly affecting people's lives and the economy. In some areas, people remain without electricity for long periods, while industrial production is also being disrupted.

He demanded an end to capacity charges and called for ensuring accountability and transparency in the energy sector.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said it was not possible to remove all the weaknesses created in the energy sector over the past 17 years within six months.

However, he said the government has taken various steps to resolve the crisis. There will be no capacity charges in the three newly approved rental power plants, and the government will follow a “no power, no money” policy, he said.