Govt won’t harm nation’s interest

Hasina says on gas exploration
The government will not do anything that goes against the interest of the country and the people regarding gas production and exploration, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Have faith in me, I will not do anything going against the people,” she told newsmen after exchanging Eid greetings with people of all walks of life at the Gonobhaban on Eid day.
The same night the premier left for New York to attend the 64th United Nations General Assembly session and to hold bilateral talks with world leaders on the sidelines.
Regarding gas exploration, she said it is necessary to meet the increasing demand for electricity. “Gas needs to be explored. But I want to assure people that nothing will be done that may harm the interests of the people and our beloved homeland Bangladesh.”
The premier said a vested quarter is trying to create a political issue out of the exploration of gas in the offshore blocks. She called upon all to have faith and confidence in her government and urged them not to be misguided by the propaganda of the vested quarter.
On price hike of essentials, the prime minister said an evil force is out to misguide people by presenting flimsy reasons for price hikes. She wondered how sugar price increased despite adequate stocks. She termed it a conspiracy against the government and vowed to take stern actions against people responsible.
She also said Trading Corporation of Bangladesh among other organisations would be remodelled so that they are more effective in keeping the prices of essentials stable as her government has pledged to reduce prices of essentials.
About the longstanding power crisis, Hasina said her government has taken various measurers to improve the situation and urged people to be patient in this regard.
She reiterated that the killers of Bangabandhu and the four-national leaders, army personnel in the BDR mutiny and the war criminals would be tried.
The prime minister reached New York Tuesday morning. Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the United Nations AK Abdul Momen and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Akramul Qader received her.
During her nine-day visit to the USA, she will address the plenary of the UN General Assembly on September 26 that would focus on the adverse impact of climate change, world economic recession and transition to democracy in Bangladesh.
The prime minister is expected to return home on October 1.

Courtesy of The Daily Star