CAB
Public suffering grows amid power and gas crisis
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Public suffering is increasing in the country due to shortages of electricity and gas, closure of mills and factories amid the fuel crisis, extortion in the transport sector and the cancellation of the list of essential medicines, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) said. The organization has called for those responsible for these problems to be identified and for effective measures to be taken quickly.
The issues were raised at a discussion meeting held Thursday at CAB’s central office in Segunbagicha in the capital.
Speaking at the meeting, CAB Central General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said, “Consumers’ suffering has reached an extreme level due to the electricity and gas crisis and the cancellation of the list of essential medicines.”
“CAB is not an opponent of the government. Rather, it is playing an advocacy role by standing alongside the government in the public interest. We urge the government to identify those responsible and take effective measures quickly to reduce consumers’ suffering,” he said.
The president of CAB’s central committee expressed concern over the ongoing situation in the country. He said, “Already, 400 mills and factories have been shut down. The fuel crisis is increasing production costs on one hand while creating the risk of unemployment on the other. Public suffering is increasing further due to increases in gas and oil prices, extortion in the transport sector and system losses. We demand that these irregularities be stopped immediately.”
He stressed the need to move toward self-reliance by reducing import dependence and ensuring the availability of domestic industries and fuel.
Regarding the pharmaceutical sector, he said, “The people must be informed about the reasons for canceling the list of essential medicines. At the same time, effective measures must be taken to control medicine prices.” He also called on the government to adopt people friendly policies by ensuring food and medicine safety.
CAB Treasurer Shawkat Ali Khan said, “Adulteration has now reached epidemic proportions. Amid various problems in the pharmaceutical sector, the sudden cancellation of the list of essential medicines has further intensified the crisis. We call for the list to be reinstated immediately, the availability of medicines at reasonable prices to be ensured and strict measures to be taken to stop adulterated medicines and food products.”
Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Ruhin Hossain Prince spoke about mismanagement in the energy sector. He stressed the need to increase domestic gas extraction and reduce dependence on LNG.
He said, “Public interest must be given priority in the gas and electricity sectors to ensure supply and prices. At the same time, effective measures are needed to set reasonable prices for essential medicines and stop the sale of expired medicines.”
Mohiuddin Ahmed, convener of the Bangladesh General Citizens’ Society, stressed the need to develop a specific roadmap to resolve the energy crisis. He called for long term planning in the energy sector by ensuring domestic gas extraction and fuel supply while reducing import dependence.
The discussion meeting was moderated by CAB Executive Director Ahmmed Ekramullah. CAB Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Organizing Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, Publicity Secretary Anwar Hossain Chowdhury and Executive Committee Member Anwar Hossain were also present.
