State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said that gas exploration work is going on in the sea If gas is found, it can be extracted after seven to eight years.

The State Minister said all this in response to a supplementary question by Awami League Member of Parliament (MP) Ahmed Hossain in the JS session on Tuesday (May 7).

The Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said that in 2016-2017, we started preparations for conducting a multi-plan survey of mineral resources or gas extraction in the deep sea. Among them, we are not prepared to conduct Multiplan survey especially for gas exploration. Before that we gave three blocks along Myanmar border to two companies. The amount of gas they thought they'd get from surveying here isn't visible, they found there's less gas, they move. Already the Multiplan survey is over; we have got the results of the two-day survey. We have already moved into a deep seaport. About 17 companies have expressed interest, including giant Chevron and several other large companies. They took today's survey results to beat. We have a meeting with them from Wednesday. Bidding will end in September.

He said, in the middle of next year, we will appoint companies in different blocks for 3D surveys. After investing about 20 to 30 million dollars, if there is gas or oil after 7-8 years, then we can extract that gas or oil.

Stating that the production capacity is more than the demand for electricity in the country, he said that the production capacity is more than the demand for electricity in the country. After assuming responsibility in 2009, the government has taken immediate, short, medium and long term plans for the development of the power sector and is implementing them through close supervision. From January 2009 to the present time, 26 thousand 240 MW electricity has been added to the national grid. As a result, the installed capacity of electricity has increased to 30 thousand 277 MW including captives.

Nasrul Hamid said that although there is no shortfall in power generation capacity according to demand, power generation is not possible at full capacity due to the Ukraine-Russia war and the global energy crisis after the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, there is temporary difficulty in uninterrupted power supply in some places. Apart from this, due to excessive heat and wildfires in some parts of the country, the demand for electricity has increased tremendously. Due to increase in demand, emphasis is also being placed on increasing production. We hope to be able to provide uninterrupted and quality electricity to everyone soon.

Jatiya Sangsad Leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that on May 7, 2007, I crossed the hundred barrier and returned to the country. At that time, the caretaker government, even from within the Awami League, was barred from coming to the country. I was even threatened to be killed at the airport on my return home.

Prime Minister said these in an unscheduled discussion on Tuesday (May 7) in the evening session chaired by Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.

The Prime Minister said, today (May 7) is a unique day in my life because I had returned to the country that day crossing the hundred barriers. Many advisers of the caretaker government at that time also told me on the phone that you will not come, you stay outside, I will do whatever it takes. Some also threatened. It was said that if she returns to Bangladesh, she will be killed at the airport. I said Alhamdulillah, I will come to my country.

The Prime Minister said, "All airlines were prohibited from giving me a boarding pass." After standing at the airport in America for three hours and quarreling with them, I came to London on British Airways. On the day I was going to board the plane in London, I was not allowed to board. That day I vowed that I would return home anyway. Even when I left for the airport, many people told me on the phone that you will not come; in fact they will kill you. I didn't care. However, I am grateful to the leaders and workers of Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina also said that then it was said that no one should go to the airport. Even from within my party. The Secretary of the party then told everyone that he would be expelled if he went to the airport. None of our leaders and workers can live on the streets. I gave only one message that everyone will stay. We fought guerilla warfare, everyone stay, you don't leave until my plane lands, until I open the door and get out.

She said, I was told that when I boarded the vehicle, I would be taken to an unknown location. I told the driver to go where people are going, don't go over the flyover. Thousands of people are on the streets. Ignoring the restrictions of some people in my party, the leaders and workers not only welcomed me but also gave me security.

She also said that at that time one or two people could come to me. Sabina Yasmin is sick, I went out guerilla style. I went to the hospital avoiding the eyes of the police. That day I spoke very harshly, I said who is running the country? The police arrived the next morning. I was arrested and brought to a dirty abandoned building in the Parliament building. I was imprisoned there.

The Prime Minister said, not only on this day, but also in 83, Ershad Sahib arrested us and took us to Lal Dalan at 30 Hare Road. From there she was taken to the DGFI office for questioning. Mr. Ershad arrested me several more times. Me, Matia Apa, Sahara Apa (no longer) take the three of us together and sometimes kept us overnight in the control room. Not only that, I am able to come here today and serve the people by overcoming repeated arrests, direct firing, bombs and grenades. Now I am only standing, to thank the people of Bangladesh, to thank the leaders and workers of the party.

Panthpath signal is a little further from the capital's Farmgate. The road distance from Farmgate to Panthpath signal is only 700 meters. However, it has been reported that more than 21 lakh illegal tolls are collected annually from approximately 100 yards of the road from Panthpath signal to Kazipara junction within the 700 meter road. The busy road has now turned into a den of illegal extortion.

Private University Asia Pacific can be seen just a little further along the road in front of Anand Cinema Hall located at Farmgate of the capital. Crossing the educational institution and moving forward, you will see hundreds of rickshaws parked on the road adjacent to the old gate of Pani Bhavan. As a result, the common people traveling on this road are suffering daily.

Common people suffer due to illegal rickshaw garages occupying the road but few people are benefiting. Among which are the names of some local leaders and activists of the ruling party.

The road was seen on spot visit, rickshaws plying in different parts of the capital came and accumulated at this place after 7 pm. During the day, 50 to 60 rickshaws are always parked here, but as the night progresses, the rickshaw line gets longer. Basically the rickshaw pullers park the rickshaws all night on this road after earning the whole day. As a result of rickshaw parking on the main road, traffic jams are also seen on this road most of the time after evening.

According to the investigation, more than 300 rickshaws are parked every day in this garage built by occupying the road. A fee of Tk. 20 per day is charged from the rickshaws for this parking.

If a minimum of 300 rickshaws are accounted, according to the calculation, daily fee is collected from the rickshaw garage built in this short distance area of Tk. 6 thousand. As such, the amount of monthly subscription is Tk. 1 lakh 80 thousand. And at the end of the year, this figure stands at Tk. 21 lakh 60 thousand.

According to the complaints of common people traveling on the road, rickshaws are kept on this road with regular subscription through lineman. And the local leaders and activists of the ruling party get the share of this contribution. Basically they collect money through linemen.

Barta24.com conducted an investigation based on the source of the complaint. The investigation revealed the name of a person named Sohail who was allegedly in charge of the lineman. He is the one who collects regular subscriptions and built a rickshaw garage occupying the main road. He also built a rice hotel next to the footpath next to this rickshaw garage.

Meanwhile, talking to several rickshaw pullers who use the garage, they also admitted that they have to pay Tk. 20 per rickshaw. However, in most cases, the rickshaw owners calculate the number of their rickshaws and give subscription to Sohail, they said.

When asked about these matters, Lineman Sohel told Barta24.com that these are not extortion. Those poor people leave their rickshaws here. Leave it at night, take it again in the morning. Why don't you see everything else? Why are you so paranoid about this road, brother, don't you do other work? I will talk to you later.

When asked about this, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tejgaon Traffic Division, Mostak Ahmed told Barta24.com that when I am in charge, we keep the main road (main road) empty. And the sidewalks are usually watched by police.

He said, "When my traffic police are on duty during the day, we try to keep all the roads empty." There is no opportunity to occupy the main road. And if such matters remain, then we will ask the Thana police to take action.

Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mohsin told Barta24.com that action has been taken against them several times. Regular evacuations are also done. We constantly work against them. Meanwhile, the police brought them and removed them. We continue our efforts.

In response to the question of how they occupy the place and resume their activities even if they are sometimes evicted, he said, when the operation is carried out, everyone gets better, but when the eviction is over, they go back to their previous positions; What to do? As long as people are not good, it is difficult to complete these tasks completely.

However, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Tejgaon police station Mohammad Mohsin sometimes gave the information about the evacuation, but the traders in the vicinity said that the traders staying in this area were evacuated but the rickshaw garage was not evacuated.

On the condition of anonymity, a local businessman said that all the shops have been raided at various times around the sidewalk or road. But I have never seen a rickshaw raiding this garage. I have been doing business here for almost 4 to 5 years now, but I have never seen any action taken against this garage even once.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dhaka North City Corporation told Barta24.com that you provide details including address on WhatsApp, we will look into the matter and take appropriate action.

US State Department Assistant Minister for South Asia Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka again. He is scheduled to come to Dhaka in the middle of this month to discuss Bangladesh-US relations.

On Tuesday (May 7), the diplomatic sources of the two countries confirmed the truth of this matter.

This is the US Assistant Secretary's first visit to Dhaka after Bangladesh's 12th national elections. Before this, he last visited Bangladesh last July. After the election on January 7, the discussion around Lu's visit has started in the diplomatic arena.

This will be the 4th visit of Donald Lu, who is discussed in South Asia for various reasons, to Dhaka. He last visited Bangladesh last July as part of a multi-faceted campaign, including announcing a separate US visa policy for Bangladesh to ensure a credible election. At that time, he was accompanied by Uzra Jaya, the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights. Due to the increased heat of the political field before the election, the double visit of Uzra Zeya and Donald Lu was much discussed in the country and outside the country. Uzra Zeya and Donald Lu met the highest levels of government that time.