PM urges all not to misuse electricity

Desk Report: Reiterating her call to the people to be economical in using electricity, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government is going to introduce pre-paid meters across the country to check misuse of power and pilferage of its bill.

"Electricity is an asset of the country. So, I would like to request all to be economical in using power," she said.

The premier said this while inaugurating 100 percent electricity coverage in the country's 10 upazilas through videoconferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban this afternoon.

The premier also urged the people of the country to use pre-paid metres to prevent wastage of electricity. "I would like to request the people to use pre-paid metres and switch off lights and fans when those are not necessary ... I seek cooperation of the people in this regard," she added.

Through the videoconferencing, Sheikh Hasina also opened Ashuganj 450 MW North Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle Plant (North) and Keraniganj furnace-oil based plant having 108 MW generation-capacity.

Moreover, she inaugurated transmission of additional 60 MW power from Tripura plant, India in radial mode.

The 10 upazilas brought under 100 percent electricity coverage are: Mollahat and Fakirhat of Bagherhat, Hakimpur of Dinajpur, Kotchandpur of Jhenidah, Fenchuganj and Sylhet Sadar of Sylhet, Bheramara of Kushtia, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Sitakunda of Chittagong and Narsingdi Sadar of Narsingdi district.

PM's Energy Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu spoke at the function while Power Division Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus gave an overview of the overall electricity situation in the country.

PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury moderated the function.

Later, the premier talked to the cross section of people, including public representatives, high officials, religious leaders, students, people with disabilities and tea labourers, through the videoconferencing.

BSS

risingbd/Dhaka/Sept 10, 2017/Saif/Amirul