National Committee to Protect Oil Gas Mineral Resources Power and Ports on Saturday issued an ultimatum to the government asking it to roll back the controversial 1320 MW coal-fired Rampal power plant project by Monday. Otherwise, the committee will launch a long march programme from 24-28 towards the power plant site where Bangladesh and India are implementing the project near the world heritage Sundarbans under a joint venture initiative. The committee announced the action programme at a press conference at Mukti Bhaban in the city. Member secretary of the committee Dr Anu Muhammad read out a statement on the issue with a seven-point demand. The proposed long-march programme will start on September 24 at 9 am in front of the National Press Club and reach the project site on September 28. On the way to the project site, the long march will have short stay at different points at Manikganj, Faridpur and Khulna. Convener of the Committee Engineer Mohammad Shahidullah and other leaders, including Ruhin Hossain Prince, BD Rahmatullh, Syed Abul Maqsud, were present at the press conference. The leaders alleged that the government has initiated the project in order to appease India at the cost of the Sundarbans mangrove forest which will ultimately cost a loss of Tk 540,000 crore, including destruction of flora and fauna of the world’s largest mangrove forest. “Interestingly, Indian law prohibits such environmentally unfriendly project near the Sundarbans which Bangladesh is implementing within its territory,” Anu Mohammad said adding, Indian law does not allow any coal-fired power project within 25 km of any forest but this project will be implemented within 15 km of the Sundarbans. He said Bangladesh and Indian governments have been saying that they would use super critical technology for the project but such technology has yet not been used in India. Anu Mohammad also alleged that the Awami League government is serving the interest of foreign oil companies through leasing out gas fields with very soft conditions. – UNB
