Govt urged to open debate: No export of gas without keeping 50 years stock

Some teachers of the public universities yesterday asked the government to arrange an open public debate with their nominated five-member team on gas and coal export policy before signing any agreement with foreign companies.
They addressing a press conference at Institute of Engineers in the city said export of coal and gas should not be considered after ensuring their reserve for at least 50 years.
MM Akas moderated the function while Prof Sirajul Islam Chowdhury read out a paper regarding export of gas and coal. The nominated 5-member team comprises Justice Golam Rabbani, Prof Nurul Islam, Prof Mohammad Jafar Iqbal, Prof MM Akas and Prof M Shamsul Islam.
MM Akas said, “We want to sit for an open and live-telecast debate with the government on the issue of gas and coal export.” He alleged that the present government also was planning to sign contact with two foreign companies as per the Model PSC-2008 of the caretaker government. Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said that a comprehensive long-term energy policy is needed to conserve the mineral resources. “To promote the country’s economic growth to double digit, Bangladesh should utilise its energy properly”, he suggested.
Speakers at the conference criticised the government for stating that a quarter was creating confusion and misleading the people over gas and coal export issue. The government should be transparent and should not hide any information on the issue.
Prof Mesbah Kamal, Prof KAM Sad Uddin, Prof Ahmed Kamal and Kaberi Gayen from Dhaka University (DU), Prof Shamsuddin Elias from Rajshahi University (RU), Abul Momen from Chittagong University (CU), Rezai Karim Khandoker from Sylhet Shahjalal University, and Shamsul Alam from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, among others, attended the press conference.

Courtesy of The New Nation