Gas, electricity come and go, says Rumeen

Independent MP Rumeen Farhana has criticised the government over the ongoing gas and electricity crisis, rising commodity prices, inflation and the employment situation, saying uncertainty over essential services is putting growing pressure on people and businesses.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker took a swipe at the ongoing energy crisis, saying, “It comes and goes; apparently, no one knows how long it stays.”

Her remarks appeared to include a wordplay on Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, the power, energy and mineral resources minister, although it was not immediately clear whether she was directly referring to him.

Rumeen said fuel prices were rising while people were struggling with electricity shortages and inadequate gas supplies. The situation, she said, was affecting households, businesses and industries.

She also criticised the government over inflation and rising prices, saying ordinary people were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the cost of living.

The MP said the government had identified law and order, commodity prices and energy security as key priorities, but claimed there had been little visible progress.

Taking a dig at the home minister, Rumeen said, “Just as Bangladesh has three foreign ministers, it would not be bad if there were 64 home ministers—one in each district” to deal with the law and order situation.

Jobs and factory closures
Rumeen also questioned the government’s employment promises, saying it had pledged to create one crore new jobs.

She claimed that 62,000 people had lost their jobs and more than 900 factories had shut down since the government came to power.

“How will new employment be created in such a situation?” she asked, while also raising concerns over job security for those currently employed.

Rising prices hit consumers
On commodity prices, Rumeen said consumers were struggling in the markets.
“There are no vegetables below Tk80,” she said, while also pointing to rising prices of eggs and Miniket rice.

She further highlighted long queues for subsidised products sold through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) as evidence of pressure on household budgets.

Rumeen urged the government to take immediate and effective measures to address the energy crisis, inflation, rising living costs and employment uncertainty.