The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Owners of different industries will soon start self-monitoring in their respective units to reduce gas consumption as part of the government's policy to stop misuse of this valuable mineral resource.

Talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the business leaders on Thursday, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Professor Dr M Tamim said they had assured him of giving a feedback report with positive outcome within the next two weeks in this regard.

Leaders of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA) attended the meeting, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral resources.

During the meeting, all important issues regarding rational use of gas and electricity came up for discussion and the business leaders agreed to extend their whole-hearted cooperation to the government's initiative to stop pilferage and reckless consumption of these resources. Dr. Tamim said he had successful talks with the business leaders on the government's plan for balanced use of gas in industries. "The business leaders will carry out self-monitoring in their respective industries to ensure limited use of gas," he said.

BKMEA President Fazlul Haque, BGMEA President Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez and BTMA President Abdul Hye Sarkar said the industry owners would exert their full capacity to stop misuse of gas in their respective units through self-monitoring system.

"There will be no enforcement to millers or industries. The existing problem in the gas sector is for all, not for the government alone. We all must see that our valuable gas is not misused," Dr. Tamim said. It is not easy now to boost gas supply, but we must meet our demand from the available amount, he added.

The Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser also urged the households to stop misuse of gas at home as he said rational as well as less use of this resource at all levels would greatly help reduce the gap between its demand and supply.

He expressed the hope that a positive change would take place in the gas sector within the next few weeks with limited consumption of this mineral resource in industries and households as well.

BGMEA chief said Bangladesh should not depend on gas only, rather the country must take into active consideration the use of coal to meet its power demand in near future.

"If the country's millers go for limiting gas consumption, the production will come down to an annual loss of Taka 120 crore" he said and stressed the need for use of coal to meet the energy challenges ahead.