The parliamentary standing committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry on Sunday got additional 45 working days to submit its report on Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Bill, 2022. The Bill was placed in Parliament to expedite exploration of oil, gas and mineral resources in the country on June 5. Also read: Supplementary budget for 2021-22 passed in JS Chairman of the Committee Waseqa Ayesha Khan moved for the time extension in the House which approved it by voice vote. The proposed law will replace the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Ordinance, 1985 that was declared void by the court as it was promulgated during the regime of military dictator. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid placed the bill on June 5 and it was sent to the respective parliamentary standing committee. The committee was asked to submit its report within 15 days. As per the bill a Corporation will be established titled the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation for carrying out the purposes of this bill. The corporation may also be called PETROBANGLA. This will be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued. The main office of the corporation will be established in Dhaka whereas if necessary  its offices can be set up in any place in and outside the country taking prior permission from the government. The authorised capital of the Corporation shall be Tk 5000 crore, which was Tk 200 crore, while the paid up capital will be Tk 200 crore. Also read:Electricity demand in Rajshahi region to go three-times higher in five years: Nasul Hamid The Board shall consist of the following Directors, a Chairman to be appointed by the Government, an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry or Division dealing with energy and mineral resources to be nominated by that Ministry or Division, an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry or Division dealing with finance to be nominated by that Ministry or Division, an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry or Division dealing with planning to be nominated by that Ministry or Division, three officials of the Corporation nominated by the government and two Directors to be appointed by the Government.

The Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2021 was passed in Parliament on Thursday, aiming to extend its length of time by another five years till 2026. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Nasrul Hamid moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote. Read: No record in National Archives can be destroyed; bill passed The tenure of the existing law is going to expire in 2021. The cabinet on September 6 approved the draft of Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and energy for making Bangladesh a higher middle-income country by 2030 and a developed one by 2041. Read:Tougher maritime law in the offing; bill placed in JS The tenure of the special provision, enacted in 2010, was extended on several occasions in the past. But no change other than time extension has been made to the proposed law.

The Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2021 was placed in Parliament on Wednesday, aiming to extend its length of time by another five years till 2026. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Nasrul Hamid placed the Bill. Read: Bill placed in parliament to replace Dev Board Ordinance The tenure of the existing law is going to expire in 2021. The cabinet on September 6 gave the final approval to the draft of Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and energy for the sake of making Bangladesh into a higher middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2041. Read: Leader and Dy Leader of Opposition (Remuneration and Privileges) Bill placed in JS The tenure of the special provision, enacted in 2010, was extended on several occasions in the past. But no change other than time extension has been made to the proposed law.

Gas supply will remain suspended in parts of Narayanganj and Munshiganj for 24 hours from Monday morning due to emergency maintenance works. A handout from the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said an emergency maintenance work at the Siddhirganj city gate station (CGS) will be carried out from 8am on Monday to 8am on Tuesday. Also read: Gas supply disrupted in Narayanganj, Munshiganj During the maintenance work, consumers in the Narayanganj city area, Siddhirganj, Adamji EPZ, Godnail, Pagla, Fatulla, Narayanganj BSCIC area, from Panchabati to Muktarpur, Munshiganj Sadar, Munshiganj BSCIC, Rekabi Bazar and adjoining areas will experience no gas supply or low pressure in gas supply, the ministry said. The ministry and Titas Gas authorities have regretted the temporary inconvenience.

The peak-time demand for electricity in the country has come down to about 9,300 MW as most industrial units remained closed due to the ongoing general holidays.