Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Monday said 300 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid from the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in August this year.
He said the project will meet around 10 percent of the country’s total electricity demand and benefit nearly two crore people.
The adviser made the remarks at a press briefing at the Secretariat.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana was present at the briefing.
Zahed said “There is no fuel crisis in the country. 170,000 metric tonnes of diesel are currently in stock, while another 180,000 metric tonnes will arrive by 30 April.”
“There are no long queues at fuel stations and the situation will ease further soon” he added.
He farther stated “The government’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 14 new projects worth over Tk13,445 crore last month. The projects include five new and five revised schemes.”
“That funds have been allocated for power generation, road communication and local administration development” he added.
“We are working continuously for the country’s development and the welfare of its people through new projects,” Zahed said.
He also noted that although fuel price increases have pushed up transport fares, government fares for buses and minibuses in Dhaka have remained unchanged.
On border security, Adviser Zahed said border killings have fallen by 75 percent. He expressed hope that the situation can be brought down to zero through diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries.
He also said the government has vaccinated 94,23,799 children against measles. “Vaccination is our main focus, as it helps reduce child mortality,” he mentioned.
On media issues, Zahed said “The government will not tolerate misinformation in any form. Media can criticise the government in a rational manner but must not spread false or misleading information.”
He also noted that in the last two months, a significant amount of drugs and arms have been seized and 35 people arrested as part of a crackdown on terrorism.
Zahed said “Anti-terror operations are being carried out strictly.”
He added that steps taken with Indian assistance to control border-related terrorist activities are being implemented.
Adviser Zahed reiterated that the government’s goal is to bring border killings down to zero level.
