Citizens body terms it disappointing
Hasina-Modi joint statement
Expressing deep dissatisfaction over the Indian and Bangladeshi governments nonchalance on keeping the plan to build the Rampal power plant that poses threat to the Sundarbans, the national committee for protection of oil gas and mineral resources, electricity sector and ports yesterday censured the joint declarations made by the government during the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At a meeting held at the head office of the committee in Green Road area of the capital, its convener Engr Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah also criticised the governments decision to let two Indian business giants invest in the countrys power sector.
The governments approval of letting India use the Chittagong and Mongla port, mentioned at the joint declaration of Hasina-Modi was also harshly criticized by the committee members.
During the meeting, Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the national committee, said defying the public sentiment and the national interest, the government still plans to move on with the Rampal power plant.
Ironically, India didnt allow the construction of the plant on their side, but they let Bangladesh build the same in this part. This is hypocritical. We were hopeful of a joint declaration calling an end to the Rampal power plant project, but disappointingly, that did not happen.
Shahidullah meanwhile said that two Indian power giants-Reliance and Adani are given the scope to invest in our power sector without inviting any international tender. They were given the opportunity under special energy act even though the act was formulated during the electricity crisis to have quick rental power plants built through the local entrepreneurs.
By giving the two Indian power companies the provision to produce electricity, the government has created the scope for foreign dominance in the power sector, he claimed.
We have to understand that, these companies, later on, will increase the prices of electricity and we would have nothing left to do but to pay the price.
Environment activist Engr M Inamul Haque and communist party leader Ruhin Hossain Prince also spoke on the occasion. The committee declared a nationwide protest meeting on June 14 to raise voice on these issues.
