Govt will support Banshkhali plant

Says prime minister�s energy adviser

Despite severe protests from locals, the government will support the Banshkhali coal-based power project of the S Alam Group, Dr Tawfique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, energy adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said at a press conference yesterday. The press meet was organised at Bidyut Bhaban by the Power Division. Chowdhury said the location of the proposed power plant is very convenient with the sea nearby and relatively lower population density. “The location is very convenient for a coal-based power plant as it is located near the sea, which would facilitate coal transport. Besides, most of the land nearby is being used for salt farming and hence there is not that much scope for environmental degradation,” he claimed.
Interestingly, Nasrul Hamid, minister for power, energy and mineral resources, had told the journalists a few days ago that the government has no relation with the proposed plant in Bashkhali and that the S Alam Group could shift the project location if it so wanted.
Hamid, who was also present at the press meet, refused to comment on his previous statement. The energy adviser, however, explained, “He (Nasrul) had said it without thinking too much.” The local administration had last Monday (April 4) declared Section 144 at Banshkhali in Chittagong after four persons died in a clash between the anti- and pro-coal power plant groups. Three cases, including two for murder, were filed, accusing around 5,500 villagers. The energy adviser said that people with vested interests have been spreading propaganda against the coal-based power plant. “The execution of the plant will not be stopped because of this. The government will support the project,” he said.
When asked about the identity of those people with vested interests, Chowdhury said, “You all know who they are.”
He reminded people that during the tenure of the BNP government, the work at Barapukria coal mine had been started without allocating any financial support to locals. Later, the AL government compensated the people there with Tk. 200 crore when massive cracks were found in the land.
“A section with vested interests had even spread propaganda against the AL government’s effort,” he said.
When the journalists asked whether the S Alam Group is conducting its work properly, Chowdhury said the minister, the secretary, and other government officials are regularly monitoring the project. “I personally seek regular updates about its progress,” he said.
The energy adviser said that USD 2.4 billion foreign investment would be made in that project. "If any rules are flouted, investors would not dare to put in such huge amounts in it,” he argued.
Momowarul Islam, secretary of the Power Division, who was also present at the press meet, claimed that the project in Banshkhali had been started after informing locals. “Last year, I personally visited the place and had a meeting with the local people. No complaints regarding land acquisition were made,” he said.

 

Govt will support Banshkhali plant

Says prime minister�s energy adviser

Despite severe protests from locals, the government will support the Banshkhali coal-based power project of the S Alam Group, Dr Tawfique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, energy adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said at a press conference yesterday. The press meet was organised at Bidyut Bhaban by the Power Division. Chowdhury said the location of the proposed power plant is very convenient with the sea nearby and relatively lower population density. The location is very convenient for a coal-based power plant as it is located near the sea, which would facilitate coal transport. Besides, most of the land nearby is being used for salt farming and hence there is not that much scope for environmental degradation, he claimed. Interestingly, Nasrul Hamid, minister for power, energy and mineral resources, had told the journalists a few days ago that the government has no relation with the proposed plant in Bashkhali and that the S Alam Group could shift the project location if it so wanted. Hamid, who was also present at the press meet, refused to comment on his previous statement. The energy adviser, however, explained, He (Nasrul) had said it without thinking too much. The local administration had last Monday (April 4) declared Section 144 at Banshkhali in Chittagong after four persons died in a clash between the anti- and pro-coal power plant groups. Three cases, including two for murder, were filed, accusing around 5,500 villagers. The energy adviser said that people with vested interests have been spreading propaganda against the coal-based power plant. The execution of the plant will not be stopped because of this. The government will support the project, he said. When asked about the identity of those people with vested interests, Chowdhury said, You all know who they are. He reminded people that during the tenure of the BNP government, the work at Barapukria coal mine had been started without allocating any financial support to locals. Later, the AL government compensated the people there with Tk. 200 crore when massive cracks were found in the land. A section with vested interests had even spread propaganda against the AL governments effort, he said. When the journalists asked whether the S Alam Group is conducting its work properly, Chowdhury said the minister, the secretary, and other government officials are regularly monitoring the project. I personally seek regular updates about its progress, he said. The energy adviser said that USD 2.4 billion foreign investment would be made in that project. If any rules are flouted, investors would not dare to put in such huge amounts in it, he argued. Momowarul Islam, secretary of the Power Division, who was also present at the press meet, claimed that the project in Banshkhali had been started after informing locals. Last year, I personally visited the place and had a meeting with the local people. No complaints regarding land acquisition were made, he said.