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Consider energy as service sector, not source of revenue

Staff Correspondent
07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 | Update: 06 Jun 2023 22:51:20
Consider energy as service sector, not source of revenue
Dr M Shamsul Alam

First of all, we have to come to terms with the reality that the power and energy sector has been totally devastated due to the mishandling of the bureaucrats. The tendency to provide temporary solution has further worsened the crisis. Now, the ongoing energy and power crisis needs to be considered as an emergency and a long-term solution has to be found.

Firstly, the government should fully realise the severity of the present condition. Then a radical change has to be brought forth in bureaucracy which is responsible for creating the energy and power crisis. Inefficient, incompetent, and failed administration should be replaced. It is not possible to eliminate the problems of power and energy sector keeping this administration in place.

Secondly, just as people die when food security is destroyed, an economy gives in when energy security is devastated. We have already done that making the energy sector a key source of revenue earning. It is not possible to revive the sector maintaining this wrongheaded policy. Everything has been handed over to inefficient administration. Professionals have been disempowered, which ultimately has pushed us into this catastrophe.

Thirdly, the power and energy sector has to be considered as a service sector for the development of the sector. Just as incentives are given to the agriculture sector to ensure food security, in the same way healthy investment and incentives should be provided to the energy sector. In no way can the energy sector be considered a source of revenue. Priority should be given to domestic energy sources and import-dependency should be abandoned.

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