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Published on August 13, 2016
Highlighting the steps taken by her government to make the country self-reliant in power production, she said every upazila would come under hundred-percent electricity coverage as 78 percent people already have access to electricity.
At the same time, she also urged all to maintain austerity in the use of electricity as it costs huge money to produce.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the electricity supply programme through video conference from her Gonobhaban residence here on Saturday.
The upazilas brought under 100 percent electricity coverage are- Tungipara of Gopalganj district, Bandar of Narayanganj district, Palash of Narsingdi district, Boalkhali of Chittagong district, Adarsha Sadar of Comilla district and Bholahat of Chapainawabganj district.
Pointing out her government's steps to make the country self-reliant in electricity, the Prime Minister said the government has already started construction of a nuclear power plant for which the country was waiting from 1965.
The government has taken steps to import electricity from India and discussion is going on with Nepal and Bhutan to produce electricity under joint venture project, she said adding that the government is also trying to tap solar energy, wind and coal-based electricity to reach electricity to every home.
Sheikh Hasina said her government after taking office has taken measures to meet the emergency demands for electricity and started implementing medium and long term power projects as well.
She thanked the Rural Electricity Samity for their initiative to bring six upazilas under the hundred-percent electricity coverage saying people are getting the benefits of the power projects being taken one after another by the government.
"Government's prudent decision to produce electricity has contributed to create investment opportunity and employment, improve living condition of the people, reduce poverty and widening scope for children to pursue their study," the Prime Minister said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken a target for 2021 to make the country poverty free when Bangladesh will celebrate golden jubilee of independence and birth centenary of the father of the Nation in 2020.
She said people have already started getting benefit of those short, medium and long term projects. The whole country would come under 100 percent electricity coverage by 2021, she said.
PM's Advisor on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu and power secretary Monwar Islam also spoke on the occasion.
Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol
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