We appreciate the efforts of the government to supply electricity to every corner of the country. The government is committed to ensuring electricity for all within this year and the country is now very close to fulfilling the commitment.
As reported by this daily on Thursday, currently, 99.99 percent people have been brought under electricity coverage in the country. The power generation exceeds the domestic demand as Bangladesh has now an installed generation capacity of 22,000MW of power. Reportedly, tbe government is now working to reach a target to increase the capacity to 60,000MW by 2041.
We appreciate the efforts of the government
to supply electricity to every corner of the country
In 2009, when Awami League government took the power, the power generation capacity was only 4,942 MW and electricity coverage was only 47 percent. People in rural areas had to use kerosene-fired hurricane and other lamps for lighting their houses. But now people living in remote villages have access to electricity service. Electricity has increased their living standard and made life easier.
There was a time when it was very difficult for the rural people to go outside from their homes at night but now, they can easily move for meeting necessities and their children can continue their study till late night. The light of electricity has not only liberated people from darkness, it is also freeing them from superstition.
However, it is alleged that a section of officials and employees are involved in corrupt practices, hampering the government’s efforts to ensure uninterrupted power supply especially to the remote areas. Besides, many organisations are failing to cope with the rising production costs due to frequent hike in power prices. If the power tariff is not stabled it would be difficult for small entrepreneurs and traders to run their business. Besides, the increase in the cost of irrigation is also casting a negative impact on agriculture while the cost of living is going up gradually. Therefore, authorities concerned should take necessary steps so that electricity tariff will not be increased in the near future. Apart from these, relevant authorities will also have to construct new substations and distribution line, upgrade the existing substations, renovate distribution line and install new distribution transformers.