The government has not increased electricity prices for 65 per cent of power consumers in the country despite the rise in fuel oil, and power tariffs caused by international market instability and the Middle East crisis.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit made the statement on Friday while speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally organised in Churamonkati of Jashore Sadar Upazila.
The rally was held to protest against conspiracies aimed at destabilising the country through planned terrorism.
Amit assured the public that fuel prices would be restored to previous levels as quickly as possible once the war situation in the Middle East normalises.
He explained that power and fuel prices had to be adjusted due to the Middle East crisis, noting that oil prices in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, and the United States are considerably higher.
However, he emphasized that as soon as the global market normalises, the government will lower prices to bring relief to the public.
Pledging improvements in the agricultural sector, the state minister announced that irrigation pumps are being converted phase by phase to solar power and renewable energy to reduce farmers’ irrigation and production costs.
He stated that this work has already commenced in Haibatpur and Lebutala unions. The government plans to convert most irrigation pumps in Jashore Sadar Upazila to solar power by 2030, allowing farmers to cultivate crops at a lower cost and maximize profits.
The protest rally in Churamonkati was presided over by Churamonkati Union BNP President Abu Sayeed.
Special guests included District BNP President Advocate Syed Saberul Haq Sabu, General Secretary Delwar Hossain Khokon, Sadar Upazila BNP President Abdar Faruk, and General Secretary Anjarul Haq Khokon, alongside other local leaders.
Meanwhile, leaders and activists of District Juba Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal brought out a protest procession and held a rally in Jashore town to protest against anti-national conspiracies and anarchy.
Carrying banners and placards, participants marched from Chitra More through Doratana to Biman Office More, chanting slogans against conspirators.
A street meeting followed the procession, presided over by District Juba Dal Convener M Tamal Ahmed and conducted by District Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Shah Newaz Imran. Top leaders of the three organisations delivered the main speeches.
Addressing the gathering, speakers stated that the people of the country had entrusted the current government with the responsibility of governing for five years through a desired national election.
They declared that the people’s government led by Tarique Rahman could not be overthrown by exploding a few crude bombs using slum touts after looting public money and fleeing to India. They affirmed their commitment to remain on the streets to counter any anti-national plots.
The speakers expressed outrage that although killer Hasina had fled, her associates remained in comfort.
They alleged that terrorists nurtured by identified Awami League godfathers – who had established a reign of terror in Jashore for the past 17 years – were still hiding in Jashore and conspiring. They demanded their immediate arrest and legal action.
Other leaders who addressed the rally included District Juba Dal Joint Conveners Kabir Hossain Babu, Najmul Hossain Babul, and Aminur Rahman Madhu; District Swechchhasebak Dal Convener Mostafa Amir Faisal and Member Secretary Rajidur Rahman Sagar; and District Chhatra Dal Convener Kamruzzaman Bappi, among others.
