DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Energy & Infrastructure

MP criticizes government over energy crisis, load shedding, and job losses

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Independent MP Rumeen Farhana criticized the government in parliament, citing rising fuel prices, electricity shortages, and unavailable gas.
  • She highlighted that within six months of coming to power, over 62,000 people have lost their jobs and more than 900 factories have shut down.
  • Farhana also addressed the deteriorating law and order situation and the rising prices of essential commodities like vegetables and eggs.

Independent Member of Parliament Rumeen Farhana sharply criticized the government's handling of the energy crisis and its impact on the economy. Speaking in parliament, she used a popular saying to describe the public's frustration with the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, jokingly asking, “Here comes Tuku, here goes Tuku,” to signify the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the power outages.

Here comes Tuku, here goes Tuku

— Rumeen FarhanaJokingly referring to the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister to describe the uncertainty of the energy situation.

Farhana pointed to a series of economic woes, stating, “Fuel prices are rising, there is an outcry over electricity, and gas is unavailable.” She contrasted these issues with the government's election promise of creating one crore new jobs. Instead, she reported a stark reality: “within six months of coming to power, 62,000 people have lost their jobs. More than 900 factories have shut down.” The MP questioned the feasibility of creating new jobs when existing employment is so precarious.

Fuel prices are rising, there is an outcry over electricity, and gas is unavailable... this is the same government that promised one crore new jobs during the election.

— Rumeen FarhanaHighlighting economic hardships and contrasting them with election promises.

Addressing the government's stated priorities, Farhana noted that improving law and order, controlling commodity prices, and ensuring energy security were among the top 180-day goals. She expressed dismay over the law and order situation, suggesting that even with numerous home ministers, the situation could hardly be worse. Turning to the market, she lamented the high cost of basic goods, with vegetables costing no less than Tk 80 and egg prices having significantly increased. She also noted the rise in rice prices, specifically mentioning miniket rice.

Yet within six months of coming to power, 62,000 people have lost their jobs. More than 900 factories have shut down. Will new jobs be created? Those who are employed, only God knows how long their jobs will last.

— Rumeen FarhanaDetailing the job losses and factory closures under the current government.

Farhana’s remarks underscore a deep public dissatisfaction with the current economic conditions and governance. The combination of energy shortages, job losses, rising inflation, and a perceived decline in public safety paints a grim picture for many citizens.

It is difficult to speak about it. Our home minister either mocks the issue or hides behind wordplay.

— Rumeen FarhanaCriticizing the government's response to the law and order situation.
About this summary

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog