The evil spirit of the Russian company Gazprom have fled, now some ghosts have appeared. Energy and Mineral Resources Division sources said it is still lobbying Gazprom for higher rates.

Bangladeshi agents of Gazprom turned into monsters day by day. Due to their pressure, the state institution BAPEX had been facing a life-threatening situation. It is said that the institution is kept alive with oxygen. On August 5, the Awami League government's collapse saved the company about Tk. 3 thousand crore. The Gazprom Syndicate almost finalized the bid of Tk. 300 crore for the well that BAPEX can do for Tk. 70 to Tk. 80 crore. The rush to pass special laws without tendering was palpable.

Bangladesh was going to sign a contract for the proposed 15 wells at a rate of 23 million dollars (Tk. 120) for around Tk. 4200 crore. The same work can be done by BAPEX for a maximum of Tk. 1200 crores. There are precedents for which there are precedents, yet the work has been given consistently at high rates with a blind eye.

There are also examples that many people will find it difficult to believe their own eyes. However, the Tawfiq- e-Ilahi Chowdhury syndicate has done that terrible work. In 2014, BAPEX's 354th board meeting approved the proposal to drill Srikail-4 well. In the 556th board meeting, DPP (Detailed Project Proposal) worth Tk. 64 crore was approved. Approved DPP was sent to Petrobangla. The rule is that the work will start subject to Petrobangla’s approval. But Petrobangla asked to send DPP of Tk. 200 crore instead of approving DPP of Tk. 64 crore. A DPP of Tk. 200 crore was made for the same work under compulsion. And that work was given to Gazprom.

17 wells have been awarded to Gazprom at several times higher rates at various times. Another 15 well proposals were near finalization. The most advanced was BAPEX's 5-well drilling project at Bhola gasfield. Another meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Procurement would be finalised. Fawzul Kabir Khan, Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Interim Government, took responsibility and suspended the project under special law. And this is saved from the burden of huge amount of debt.

Chairman of Petrobangla Janendra Nath Sarkar told Barta24.com that the file has been prepared for the open tender. Tenders will be called within 1 day after receiving instructions.

On the one hand, the work of Tk. 80 crore cost a quarter of Tk. 300 crore, and the well which should be done after a few years, the work is only increasing the debt burden, BAPEX is not getting any return. In this way BAPEX has been endangered in the past as well. Again, it was practicing for the benefit of the special group.

There are 9 wells in the island district of Bhola, from which about 200 million cubic feet of gas can be extracted. There is no demand for gas, and as there is no pipeline to bring it to the mainland, only 60 million cubic feet of gas is being extracted daily.

5 wells are sitting now including Tabgi (2017), Bhola North (2018) and Elisha (2022). In Bhola, the stakeholders have raised the question that the 5 well drilling project is being taken at a high price in accordance with the Fast Supply Act. Many have claimed that this project has been prepared for the Russian company Gazprom and not in the interest of the country. Objections were also raised when Tobgi and Bhola North (seated wells) were drilled by Gazprom. It was said then that there is no use in digging these wells now. Two wells were then dug at an unusual rate despite such objections from the concerned, which is still lying.

With the naked eye, many may support digging wells and keeping them ready. The reality is that BAPEX is not getting any return from these projects. On the other hand, the advance is losing investment potential in BAPEX loans at high interest rates. In 2017, a burden of Tk. 400 crore has been placed on the shoulders of BAPEX by drilling wells.

BAPEX could have done it by itself for a maximum of Tk. 120 crore. Even if it came now with time, there would be no problem.

Cab's energy advisor Professor Shamsul Alam told Barta24.com that the issue of Bhola well drilling is not related to Bangladesh's energy needs. Just as NICO was tasked with calculating profit and loss to specific individuals, so it is here. Here the Special Power Act is being used as a shield. Nowhere in the world can you find an example of anarchy where work of Tk. 10 is paid for Tk.100.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Energy Adviser Dr. Taufiq- e- Elahi Chowdhury has always sung honesty. He openly said in a meeting that the work was given to Gazprom at a much lower price than the international rate. Many have saved us a lot of money. It is said that Gazprom was forced to do the job because of him. He used to give instructions over the phone to release Gazprom files.

Once there was a native agent named Aniruddha, and then Mia Satter, the ambassador of Bangladesh to Russia, came forward. And some more influential political leaders waved the crowbar from behind. There is no name on the paper, but Petrobangla could feel their pressure. Those who were helpless under the pressure of BAPEX, while others voluntarily surrendered to the lure of the commission. Even though the evil spirits of Gazprom have fled, there have been allegations that BAPEX is still not being allowed into Bhola.

At one time, 2800 million cubic feet of gas was extracted daily from domestic gas fields. Depleting reserves, approximately 2,000 million cubic feet of gas are currently being extracted. Energy experts believe that the long-term stagnation in oil and gas exploration has pushed the country into dire straits. Idf the 1995 National Energy policy had been followed, this crisis would not have happened today. In that policy, a total of 4 exploratory wells are supposed to be drilled every year, but no government has complied with it. Prospects for oil-gas discovery, success and level of exploration are more likely to be more substantial if explored on a comprehensive basis.

Energy experts have been critical of Petrobangla for decades of laxity. But those days are now beginning to change. The opening of Petrobangla has changed during the current chairman Janendra Nath Sarker. In addition to the ongoing 48 well drilling projects, another 100 well drilling projects have been undertaken.

About 99 exploratory wells have been drilled in the territory of Bangladesh in 112 years. And Petrobangla has planned to dig 69 wells in the next 3 years. Although many consider it ambitious, energy experts have commented that it is very important. They said that if 1 of 10 wells is drilled and gas is found, it is considered economically successful. There, 3 exploration wells in Bangladesh yielded one gas. However, the search for oil and gas in Bangladesh did not work the same way. That is why today's crisis.

Talking about the potential of the country's gas sector in the past 15 years would have been a disgrace. Taufiq- e- Ilahi Chowdhury used to stop him when he talked about the possibility of getting gas. He dismissed these statements as theoretical. Even a few months ago, he was teasing the teacher in Dhaka University with his words. Because of that no one had the courage to say anything forcefully. He also showed a negative attitude about digging 100 wells last time. But Tawfiq-e- Ilahi Chowdhury was forced to give in to the authoritarian attitude of Petrobangla Chairman Janendra Nath Sarkar.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has commented that Sheikh Hasina's dictatorship has run a steam roller on the people for the last 16 years.

He said this while addressing a rally organized by the party on the occasion of International Democracy Day in front of the central office of BNP in Nayapaltan of the capital on Tuesday (September 17) afternoon.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the people of Bangladesh have always struggled for democracy. Sheikh Hasina has run a steam roller on the people for 16 years. After a long struggle we are free today. Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy from one-party rule.

Hundreds of people disappeared and tortured in 16 years. Chhatra Dal, Juba Dal leaders and activists have protested in Dhaka city. Today, students' movement has created an opportunity to establish democracy. We will not let it go to waste. You the people must guard democracy. We have to protect this democracy even with breast blood.

BNP National Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said that a leader is not known abroad for her leaders and workers. He said, I have no home abroad, no master abroad. If I die, I will die in this country. If I live, I will die in this country. Another went to India leaving behind her leaders and activists. He said again, she will return to the country quickly. The people of this country will judge your injustice and murder.

Awami League has been arresting some people these days. People gave mass beatings wherever they found them. When we went to jail, we went to jail as a hero.  I was released from jail like a hero. But why do they beat shoes and eggs in the court.

Member of the BNP standing committee Dr. Moin Khan said, Bangladesh's BNP leadership has forced the dictatorship government to resign today through the long movement and student movement. We must understand that the interim government must understand the basic mandate of the people. That is, the country has to clean the mess of the dictator. Elections should be held soon after the much-needed reforms. All wrongdoings of the Awami league must be judged. Our movement will continue till democratic government returns.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said that BNP is a party of democracy by the presence of common people. The history of BNP is the history of democracy, the history of BNP is the history of returning the right to vote. We will remain in the movement until the people take back their ownership. 

The distinguished fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue(CPD) Devapriya Bhattacharya, the head of the white paper preparation committee on the country's economic situation, commented that the statistics have been made according to the government's needs until now due to political pressure.

Debapriya Bhattacharya said this at a press briefing after a meeting with 24 organizations that prepare government statistics on Tuesday (September 17).

In addition to the members of the white paper drafting committee, the government institutions Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) were present at the Nazia Salma conference room of the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission in Agargaon in the capital. ), the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) and the Ministry of Agriculture were represented by various organizations.

At the end of the meeting, Debapriya said that under pressure, the officials used to prepare government statistics according to the government's demand. He also said that those who have not been able to provide accurate information due to fear or pressure have now been advised to use the opportunity to generate accurate statistics.

The head of the committee told reporters that inflation and national income data will be specially scrutinized. He said the material base of GDP, National Income, Inflation and Annual Development Program (ADP) estimates is very weak.

Debapriya Bhattacharya said, 'How these things happen will be looked into. That is why we will sit separately with BBS.

In response to a question, he said, the committee has already received a lot of information. The third meeting of the committee will discuss how to start the work of writing the report.

Claiming that the committee has received a massive response for open data, he said that a meeting will be held outside Dhaka soon. Debapriya commented that it is not yet time to tell what information has been found so far.

The World Bank has pledged more than two billion dollars in new aid to Bangladesh. World Bank Country Director Abdullaye Sek has pledged to increase lending to Bangladesh to support the interim government's reform agenda in the current fiscal year.

Sek spoke about the new support during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday (September 17).

Abdoulaye Sek said the World Bank could mobilize about 2 billion dollars in new financing this fiscal year for government reforms, flood response, improved air quality and health. We want to support you as fast and as possible. The bank will support the important financial needs of the country.

He said, if the funds from the existing projects are reused as a result of additional loans, the amount of loans and grants that the World Bank will give to Bangladesh in the current financial year will increase to about 3 billion dollars.

Earlier, the World Bank announced a loan assistance of about one crore dollars for financial sector reforms. On September 12, the government wrote a letter to the World Bank asking for budget support of about one crore dollars.