University teachers demand halt to leasing of oil, gas resources
Teachers of different public universities have demanded a halt to leasing out oil and gas resources in the sea and postponement of the final approval of the coal policy during the tenure of the caretaker government.
Expressing grave concern over the process of leasing out gas blocks in the deep sea to the multinational companies and attempts to finalise the proposed coal policy by Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Dr M Tamim, they said the government has no constitutional right to take such policy-making decision.
In support of their demand, some 25 teachers formed a human chain at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla on the Dhaka University campus in the morning yesterday.
Teachers participated with placards that read -- 'We demand proper compensation for the losses occurred in explosions in Tengratila gas field, punishment to dishonest officials of the energy ministry and local brokers of Asia Energy.
They urged the chief adviser to keep the responsibilities and duties of the government within daily works until an elected government comes into power after the next general election slated for December 18.
The people of the country are the owners of all natural resources. So, their participation is a must for approval of any kind of policy or signing contact regarding natural resources, including gas and oil. Otherwise, the country and whole nation will fall in deep trouble in future, they added.
The teachers said it would not be accepted if the government finalises the draft coal policy, ignoring the people's interest and leasing out oil and gas in the sea to the foreign companies.
They vowed to resist the anti-people coal policy with full strength and would take to the street if necessary.
They further said only the government elected by the countrymen has the right to take any sort of policy-making decision regarding the natural resources.
Prof Ajoy Roy said, “People of the country are the owners of all natural resources. The government would preserve the resources and the government with the mandate of people will make a policy on the resources where representation of people would be ensured.”
DU professors AKM Saad Uddin, Prof MM Akash, Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Prof Anwar Hossain, Prof Hossain Mansur, RU professors Maloy Bhowmic, SM Abu Bakar, Sujit Sarker, Mohammad Naser, Shamsuddin Elias, CU Prof Mainul Islam, JU Prof Anu Muhammad, SUST professors Zafar Iqbal and Iasmin Haq, Shamim Mahbul Haq from KU and M Shamsul Alam from CUST took part in the programme.
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