Rajshahi homes get gas

The daughter of Language Movement veteran Abul Hossain cooks using natural gas at her home in Rajshahi. Her home is the first to receive natural gas supply in the city. Photo: Star

Pashchimanchal Gas Company Limited (PGCL) started providing gas connections to consumers in the city yesterday, bringing to an end the wait of almost two decades by the locals.
Petrobangla Chairman Hossain Mansur formally opened the gas connection by lighting a burner before the house of language movement veteran Abul Hossain in the city's Seroil area at 11:00am.
On the first day, the authorities connected 33 consumers, including government offices, to the gas network.
“This gas will reach to all households in Rajshahi on a first-come, first-served basis,” said Mansur.
He hoped the gas connection would enrich the lifestyle of local people.

Inauguration of the city's gas line being held in Seroil yesterday. Photo: Star

The Petrobangla chief offered apology for the delayed supply of gas in the city. He blamed bureaucratic obstacles for the deferment.
Lawmakers Fazle Hossain Badsha and Shahriar Alam were present, among others.
Sources at PGCL said the company has sold around 10,000 application forms for gas connections till Thursday. About 6,000 consumers have already submitted their forms.
Back in 1994, people of Rajshahi had waged a movement demanding the authorities give gas connections to households. Over the years, local social, voluntary and community organisations have enforced around 50 hartals to press home the demand.
ELECTORAL LAW 'VIOLATED'
Just an hour after the opening of gas connections, 18-party opposition alliance-backed RCC mayoral aspirant Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul complained that the PGCL started providing gas connections in violation of electoral rules.
Speaking at a press conference at a local community centre, Bulbul said gas connections to consumers just seven days ahead of the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) election would greatly influence the polls results in favour of ruling alliance-backed mayoral hopeful Khairuzzaman Liton.
He demanded removal of the Petrobangla chairman.
BNP leader and former RCC mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu alleged that those who got gas connections on the first day are supporters of local Awami League stalwarts.
The election to RCC is billed for June 15.
Asked about the complaint, the Petrobangla chief said entension of gas network is part of the government's continuous development initiative and it was not related to the RCC election.