DHAKA: The government has taken initiative to start gas rationing to ensure supply of the fuel to power plants in order to keep the country’s power situation normal ahead of Ramadan.

“Under the plan, the government will increase gas supply to the power plants reducing supply to the fertilizer factories,” Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Taufiq-e-Elahi disclosed at a workshop on prepaid meter at the Power Office here Saturday.

The energy adviser said, “We are repairing some power plants which will start production before Ramadan. During the period of renovation, we’ll supply gas to the power plants by reducing supply to Jamuna and Fenchuganj fertilizer factories.”

He said a pilot project has been taken up to distribute prepaid meter across the country by 2013. The prepaid meters have already been distributed among the clients in some districts.

Regarding project expenditure Dr. Elahi said this issue is under consideration and the report would be submitted to the Ministry within two weeks.

He said it is a good initiative, but the risks of the meters would be identified and put on list before use. “At the same time, quick initiative would have to be taken to solve the problems.”
 
Professor Lutful Kabir and Professor Ashraful Anam of BUET made presentations on the technological method of the prepaid meter.

They informed that the bills counted by the prepaid meter can be paid by cell phone and recharged through banks and smart card. The meter will work in nine steps.”

Power Development Board Chairman SM Alamgir was present at the workshop chaired by Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad.

BDST: 03:00 HRS, JULY 24, 2010.