State Minister for power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Sunday stressed the need for a new, updated, modern and time-befitting LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as the use of the gas has increased manifolds. “The consumption of LGP has increased to 1.45 million metric tons (MTs) from 60,000 MTs in 2009”, he said adding that now the gas is being used in different sectors including houses, motor vehicles and industries. He was addressing a workshop on “Safe Use of LPG in Hotel and Restaurants”, organised by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) at TCB Bhaban in the city. Need to inspire young generation with ideology of Bangabandhu to build a Smart Bangladesh: Nasrul Hamid BERC chairman Nurul Amin presided over the workshop, attended by different stakeholders including representatives of LPG operators. He asked the energy regulator to accommodate the opinions of the stakeholders while preparing a new policy for the LPG. “But make it sure all the LPG users are abiding by the rules, regulations and policies of the government in using the product,” he told the BERC. He observed that most of accidents involving LPG are taking place due leakages in gas cylinders. Bangabandhu showed prudence through purchasing 5 gas fields from British company: Nasrul Hamid In this case, he said, every government agencies like Rajuk, LPG operators and energy regulators, have the responsibility to monitor if the safety instructions are being followed or not. “Rajuk has to give approval to building plans after checking whether LPG lines are properly designed or not,” he said. He said the LPG cylinders get leaked due to mishandling by operators, dealers, sub-dealers and sellers. “Actually, LPG cylinders reach to customers through rounding five to six hands from an operator and they are not careful in handing those”, he said. The workshop was also addressed by new energy secretary Nurul Alam, president of Bangladesh Hotel & Restaurant Owners Association Imran Chowdhury, Daudur Rahman Khan of Omera petroleum, Liakat Ali of JMI LPG Ltd while Prof Masud Helali of Buet made a presentation at the workshop. People have to remain united against forces opposing development: Nasrul Hamid Imran Chowdhury alleged that the BERC invited them in the workshop, but they were not given any chance to place their opinion although they are the main stakeholders in the issue of the workshop. Daudur Rahman Khan of Omera petroleum said that hotel and restaurant operators are not using extra safety mechanism. Cylinders are stored at unsafe places, he said. Some operators are using CNG for cooking purpose which is dangerous and food courts should use single line for LPG, he said.  

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has urged the businesspeople to stop commenting on rental power plants as he ruled out any reduction in power tariff. “They (businesses) should talk about uninterrupted and quality power supply at affordable price…from which kind of plants they are getting electricity should not be their subject”, he told reporters while addressing a “Meet the Press” on Tuesday. Also read: Despite 40 pc surplus capacity, BPDB buys 6 pc of electricity from pricier rental power plants He also said there is no possibility that the electricity tariff will decrease. It may rise, but will remain within affordability. Nasrul noted that Bangladesh will not buy crude oil from Russia as the fuel’s specification will not match with the country’s own requirements. He mentioned that many countries are facing difficulties in keeping their price lower amid the global situation after the Russia-Ukraine war. “You should not think that you would get electricity at the same price that you were getting 13 years back. You should not expect that”, he said responding to a question about the government’s assurance that the power tariff will gradually be cut down within 4-5 years after a temporary rise due to costly rental and quick rental power plants.       Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) jointly organised the event titled: “BPDB’s 50th Anniversary: Achievements and Challenges” at Biduyt Bhaban in the city.  BPDB chairman Mahbubur Rahman and FERB chairman Shamim Jahangir also addressed the function while it was moderated by FERB executive director Rishan Nasrullah.  Reacting to the FBCCI’s demand for shutting down the rental and quick rental power plants, Nasrul said “If fabric merchants talk about power plants from which we should get electricity, it’s not fair.” “If your problem is about uninterrupted power supply, then it’s okay”, he said. “You should not advise about the dos and don’ts….You should talk about whether the power supply situation has improved or not”, he added. Defending the BPDB’s moves about raising power tariff, the state minister said the income of the people has increased too. “Now the people’s thoughts should be about the quality supply of electricity,” he said. He, however, said the current challenge of the Power Division is to ensure uninterrupted power supply. But it is unlikely that the uninterrupted power supply will be ensured before the next 5-6 years as it involves huge cost. Also read:Despite surplus electricity, contracts of 10 rental power plants extended in four months “If we go for ensuring uninterrupted power supply, the entire power distribution and transmission line have to go underground…all substation will go underground which are very costly projects”, he said adding that only Uttara Area will need Tk 14,000 crore to take the system underground. He said the government has to think about the return from such a huge investment. He said many countries are offering Bangladesh to buy their petroleum products and Bangladesh has no crisis regarding the petroleum fuel as it has long import term agreements with different countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has directed the power distribution companies to conduct surveys on a regular basis to have feedback from consumers about their service quality.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Wednesday said time will not be extended further after June 30 to pay delayed gas and electricity bills without any surcharge.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has contributed about Tk 16.64 crore to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund to deal with coronavirus pandemic. 

Power, Energy and Mineral Resource Ministry has appointed Focal Point Officials (FPOs) to ensure uninterrupted power and gas supply during the countrywide holidays declared by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has asked the officials of his ministry and subordinate bodies to remain alert to ensure uninterrupted power and gas supply during the government-declared countrywide holidays to prevent coronavirus.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has been working to fix the tariff of liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has urged journalists to play their due role to ensure the full utilisation of the country’s energy sector potential.

The Fourth National Youth Conference – 2020 organised by Jaago Foundation began on Wednesday at Long Beach Hotel in the district.