Rural areas without electricity for up to 12 hours: Rumin Farhana in Parliament

Rumin Farhana, an independent Member of Parliament of Brahmanbaria-2 Constituency, told the National Assembly that the power supply is off for 10 to 12 hours in the village area. At the same time, he drew the attention of the Ministry of Electricity, Energy and Mineral Resources about not providing gas connection to Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory.

He made this statement during the supplementary question on the first day of the second session of the 13th National Parliament on Sunday (June 7). Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram presided over the session at 3 pm.

Rumin Farhana said in the Parliament, whether due to load shedding or maintenance, rural areas do not have electricity for 10 to 12 hours. This is a real situation. Referring to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory, he said, “The Honorable Minister said in the Parliament that gas supply will start in the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory by the first of May.” More than a month has passed but still the delivery has not started. He wants to know when the gas supply will resume.

In response, Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said that there is a limitation of gas. Gas supply is being prioritized to keep power plants running. Due to this, the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory cannot be connected right now.

He also said that no new gas wells have been drilled in the last 17 years. The current government has started drilling. If gas is available, it will be supplied to Ashuganj and other factories.

At that time, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad advised the minister to verify the matter before making a promise in Parliament.