Country free of load-shedding
"> Fireworks and laser show at Hatirjheel project area in the capital yesterday on the occasion of celebrating the country's more than 10,000 MW of power generation capacity. Photo: Darshan ChakmaThe government yesterday celebrated its achievement for touching the milestone in power generation capacity of 10,000-megawatt with a grand and cheerful jubilation.
The celebration was launched in the evening with a spectacular fireworks and laser show at the picturesque Hatirjheel Lake in the capital.
The lake, meticulously designed with bridges, overpasses and walkways, took a different look amid presence of thousands of people during the dazzling fireworks.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina switched on the celebration programme titled 'Alok Utsob' from Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. She also inaugurated the Jatiya Biddyut Saptaha-2013 from the same venue.
Opening the celebration, the premier said, "It's a joyous day for us. It's a successful and historic day for our government. It's a day of setting milestone and materialising our commitment to people."
In the election manifesto, she said, the government had made a commitment to enhance the country's power generation capacity to 7,000 MW by 2013. "Today, we are producing more than our target, making the country free from load-shedding."
"Eight more plants with production capacity of 760 MW power would go for commissioning by January 24, when the present government will fulfill its five-year tenure," she told her audience.
The premier said a total of 57 power plants were constructed in the country during the tenure of the present government while 33 more are now under construction.
"Tender documents are being processed for 20 plants. Now per capita power generation capacity of the country rose to 321 kilowatt compared to 220 kilowatt in 2009," she said.
Hasina also said despite adverse criticism, the government continued its efforts with patience to make the country self-reliant in electricity.
She thanked all concerned for achieving this success in the power sector. "The finance minister did not hesitate to pump out money in this sector," she added.
Later, she inaugurated the process of realising electricity bills of Palli Bidyut subscribers through SMS.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, PM's Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and State Minister for Power Enamul Haque, among others, spoke on the occasion.
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