Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the authorities concerned to reduce subsidy on gas and electricity in phases to prevent wastage and misappropriation, said Planning Minister MA Mannan.
“She also instructed the people concerned for a gradual reduction in gas and electricity subsidies, mainly in the commercial sector, especially where large industrial plants are being set up,” the minister added.
The Planning Minister made the remarks after the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on Tuesday. After the ECNEC meeting Planning Minister MA Mannan and State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam briefed the journalists about the instructions of the Prime Minister.
The premier joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Ministers, State Ministers and Secretaries concerned attended the meeting from the NEC Conference Room in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
Smart Pre-Payment Metering Project in Distribution Zone of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) project was approved at the ECNEC meeting at a cost of Tk 619.30 crore.
The Prime Minister gave these instructions while discussing the project. The Planning Minister said, “Those who use electricity and gas in big sectors are not poor. The residents of Gulshan are not poor. That is why the Prime Minister has directed the authorities concerned to reduce the subsidy on gas and electricity in the big industrial sectors in phases. She also directed the officials concerned to make a strategy to reduce subsidies.”
Subsidy is not the solution for any civilized country, he said, adding that, so we have to gradually move away from gas and electricity subsidy.
“However, subsidies on gas and electricity for agriculture and low-income people will continue. Subsidies for the rich will gradually go down,” he added.
However, ECNEC approved 10 projects worth Tk 8,804.10 crore including hospital waste management project.
