Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that reaching electricity to every house in the country has been a landmark achievement of her government. She also said that by this achievement the government has been able to materialise a dream of the Father of the Nation. The PM was addressing the Ecnec (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting held at the NEC at Sher-e Bangla Nagar in the capital through video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban. She expressed firm optimism that another dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would also be materialised soon by providing houses to all homeless people. She extended thanks to all concerned who worked hard for reaching the target of full electrification of the country. Also read: PM opens Payra power plant, declares full electricity coverage of Bangladesh In this regard Hasina pointed out the steps of her government to make power sector open for the private initiative during its earlier 1996-2001 term. She said that 450 MW Meghna Ghat and 360 MW Haripur Power plants were built with foreign investment under private initiative for the first time in the country. “Later, the government of Awami League since 2009 implemented many power plant construction projects that made it possible to achieve cent per cent electricity coverage,” she added. The prime minister said that in continuation of this achievement, her government has been working to build houses for all the homeless people. Mentioning that the neglected southern region witnessed tremendous development over the past years, the prime minister said the biggest Payra power plant was launched yesterday in Patuakhali district. “Besides, many big establishments like Payra Sea Port, Cantonment, naval base, and other infrastructures have been constructed which have changed the overall scenario in the region,” she said. Referring to the Padma Bridge, she said that construction works of the mega project will be completed very soon ending sufferings of the people of southern region. “Implementation of various projects will help protect the southern region from devastating cyclones, floods and other disasters," she said. Also read: Stay united to take Bangladesh forward: PM urges after dedicating Payra plant as her Ramadan, Eid gift In this context, the PM asked relevant authorities to create artificial mangrove forest in the coastal region alongside tree plantation and green afforestation. Hasina reiterated that her democratically elected Awami League government has been able to make these achievements thanks to 13 years of continuous governance.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government’s announcement about the cent percent electrification across the country is nothing, but a ‘false’ campaign. “Media reported that the entire country has been brought under electricity coverage. At what cost did they do it? They actually couldn't do it but they’re spreading lies,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the government has been implementing different mega projects to give the ruling party leaders scopes to amass huge wealth plundering public money. Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, the freedom fighters' wing of BNP, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club. Also read: We can’t talk, breathe freely due to suffocating situation: Fakhrul “There is mega corruption in these megaprojects, but there’s no real development of common people,” he said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 1320 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant at Patuakhali's Payra and declared the country's 100 per cent electricity coverage. Fakhrul said the country’s people are passing through a difficult time amid the unusual price hike in daily essential commodities as their real income has not increased. “The condition of those who stand behind the trucks selling TCB goods at fair prices has not improved and the condition of rural farmers has not changed as the prices of their products have not increased while the wages of our workers have not increased,” he observed. The BNP leader also said there is also no change in the conditions of lowly-paid teachers, small traders, hawkers and poor people. "The condition of only those who are indulging in looting by sharing power with the Awami League has changed drastically. Bangladesh has now become a haven of plundering. Corruption is there in the chemistry of Awami League as the party loots public money whenever they get a chance to come to power,” he said. Also read: Laws, polices being made to control media: Fakhrul Fakhrul said there is no alternative to ousting the current regime to save the country’s people from terrible misrule and restore democracy. “We’re working to forge unity of all democratic and patriotic political parties with a goal to establish a government of people and restore democracy through a fierce movement by ensuring the fall of the current regime,” he said. Gono Odhikar Parishad convenor Dr Reza Kibria said the nation has lost the freedom that the freedom fighters achieved through the Liberation War in 1971. “The time has now come for a new war of independence in this country… we must remove the current repressive regime with united efforts,” he said. Praising BNP chairperson Khaleda for her dedication and courage in a long struggle for the restoration of democracy, Reza Kibria said he is inspired by her to continue a movement in this regard. He said Gono Odhikar Parishad wants to restore people’s voting and all other rights by forcing the government to hold a fair and credible national election. Reza alleged that the ruling party leaders have long been indulging in widespread plundering and making their second homes in Canada and different other countries.

FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her achievement of 100 per cent electrification of the country.Hasina officially declared the country fully covered by electricity on Monday, while inaugurating the country’s biggest 1320 MW thermal power plant with Ultra Super Critical technology at Patuakhali’s Payra.In a congratulatory message, the president of Bangladesh Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries said that the PM has fulfilled the promise of reaching electricity to every house during ‘Mujib Borsha’ and the golden jubilee of independence of Bangladesh. Also read: Stay united to take Bangladesh forward: PM urges after dedicating Payra plant as her Ramadan, Eid giftJashim said that economic activities in the remote areas are developing as a result of electrification.He said that local employment has been created through new business ventures resulting in a development in education, health, agriculture and industry. Also read: PM opens Payra power plant, declares full electricity coverage of Bangladesh