The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The draft Coal Policy review committee in its final report has recommended that use of natural gas in different sectors including power should be gradually lessened side by side with increasing the use of coal and other substitute fuel sources to ensure energy security in the country.

The report was yesterday handed over to the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Mohammad Mohsin, with a provision for forming a public sector organisation named "Coal Bangla" to develop the coal sector, an official handout said.

The Secretary received the report from committee chairman Professor Abdul Matin Patwary. The 10-member review committee, formed on June 21 last, finalised the report after reviewing the overall draft coal policy in as many as 19 sittings, it said.

The committee felt that ensuring energy security through the speedy development of the coal policy is its main objective, the handout said.

Professor Nazrul Islam, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ismail Faruq Chowdhury, Professor Nurul Islam, Journalist Ataus Samad, Professor Mostafizur Rahman, Nazrul Islam, Mohammad Maqbul-e-Elahi and Mohammad Ehsanullah were present during the handing over of the report.

Officials of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources were also present on the occasion.