Power cuts at tolerable level before Ramadan

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday assured that load shedding will come to a "tolerable level" before Ramadan begins in the third week of next month.
“Because of price hike of furnace oil, electricity price has increased a lot. But we have taken a number of decisions to resolve the problems centring high prices of oil. I hope all power stations will go for full production very soon, and load shedding will come to a tolerable level before Ramadan,” she said in parliament.
With this assurance, the premier apparently admitted that load shedding is at an intolerable level at present. She and her colleagues both in the cabinet and in the ruling Awami League, however, have been claiming that power situation has improved a lot.
The premier informed the House about the government's medium and long-term plans to set up large power stations.
She also outlined the government plan to generate another 3,855 megawatt power by 2014 and a total of over 13,000 MW power by 2016.
“It would be possible to sign agreements within next six months on setting up 29 power plants with the capacity to produce 5,159 MW," said the Leader of the House.
In reply to a query, Hasina said her government will soon publish the "National agriculture policy-2012" for development of the sector.
Besides, she said the government has moved to prepare a mega plan titled "Master plan for agricultural development in the Southern delta" aimed at agricultural development of the entire coastal areas.
Turning to health sector, the premier said the health ministry is going to recruit 7,328 doctors and create 5,000 posts of nurses. Besides, process is on for appointments against all vacant posts under the health department.
On supply of gas to southern part of the country, Hasina said the government has planned to complete the steps regarding gas supply to that region, including Khulna.
The premier usually gives scripted replies to six/seven questions from lawmakers. But yesterday, she replied to 27 questions.