Power and Energy

I mentioned three main reasons of power crisis in the previous budget. I stated that around one-third of our power plants is exceedingly old, supply of natural gas is inadequate, and transmission and distribution system is defective. We have been trying to reduce in phases the existing gap between the demand and supply of power by implementing integrated development programes in the power and energy sector through close coordination between public and private sectors. I have just mentioned about our successes in this regard. I stated in my previous budget speech that our government wants to find an acceptable solution to power crisis within its tenure. We have, therefore, worked out a plan to produce additional 7,800 MW electricity by 2013. Presently, 29 power plants, with a capacity to produce around 2,547 MW, are under construction in the public and private sectors. Moreover, the bidding process for installing 31 power plants with the capacity to produce 4,166 MW is now underway. As natural gas is environment-friendly and less expensive, its demand has been increasing gradually. As an outcome of various actions taken to increase extraction of natural gas over the last three years, it has been possible to extract additional 405 mncft of natural gas daily. At the Same time, the extractable reserve of gas has increased from 20.6 tcf to 26.8 tcf. 365 mncft has been supplied to the national grid through connecting pipelines. We have a plan to add 1,285 mncft of natural gas to the national grid by 2013. Now, we are producing 2,100 mncft of natural gas from 24 gas fields. Approximately, 7.00 lakh MT of coal are now being extracted from Barapukuria Coal mine annually for use at the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant. I am hopeful that we will be able to complete the

Power

Energy

task of upgrading the capacity of the Eastern Refinery threefold by December 2013 as promised in my last budget speech.

Agriculture:

We have been experiencing consistent growth in our agriculture sector over the last three years. This sector has posted an average growth rate of 4.7 percent per year. Only the crop subsector has registered an average growth rate of 5.6 percent. We have a target to make Bangladesh Self-sufficient in food by 2013. To achieve this target, we have already framed National Agricultural Policy, 2011. Providing all possible supports to our farmers. As part of this process, we have already issued Agricultural Inputs Support Card to as many as 1.40 crore farmers across the country. They have been given the opportunity of opening a bank account by depositing only Tk.10. In FY 2010-11. We compensated 3,46,100 farmer families who were affected by flash floods in the haor areas by providing them with fertilizer and seeds free of cost. In FY2011-12, as many as 3,65,206 farmer families from 56 districts received fertilizers and seeds free of cost to produce Ufshi Aush and Bona Aush (Narica). Aside from this, we have also arranged to supply power tillers, tractors and other agricultural equipment to the farmers of 35 districts at subsidized price. A total subsidy of Tk. 17,092 crore has been granted for Urea and Non-Urea fertilizer in the last three years. I propose an allocation of Tk. 6,000 corer for agriculture subsidy in the budget for FY2012-13.

Water Resources

During the last three years, we have carried out 43.10 km of dredging, repairing and maintenance of 140.30 km river bank, repairing of 251.20 km flood control structure and reclaimed about 300 hectare of land from the sea. At the same time, 1.60 lakh acre of land has been freed from flood while another 0.87 lakh acre has been brought under irrigation facilities. 49 km of new

Irrigation canal has been excavated and 33.8 km has been reexcavated. 20 big towns, 70 Upazila headquarters and 500 important historical places have been protected from river erosion. Additional 97.50 metric ton of crops have been produced in 60 hectares of land by controlling flood and ensuring water drainage.

Development of Haor and Wetland Rehabilitation of Landless People in Coastal Areas Development of Flood Forecasting and Warning System

Human Resource Development

Educated and skilled human resource is the main driver of development of an economy. We have, therefore laid emphasis on human resource development. I propose a total allocation of Tk. 39,390 crore for human resource development in the budget for FY 2012-13. Overall Education Sector

In a bid to eliminate disparity in the education sector, the Government has started distributing books free of cost to the students of primary level including secondary, dakhil, vocational and ebtedai levels from FY2011-12 throughout the country. As planned, a total of 23 crore books have already been distributed in 2012. Distribution of stipends is another ongoing initiative to promote female education. Currently the male-female student ratio is 47:53, which is the 2nd highest in South Asia. Besides, as many as 43.38 lakh students from the secondary to graduation level have been awarded stipends. We have also given emphasis on teachers training, in particular on subjects like Mathematics and English, to enhance the quality of education. We are also laying emphasis on expansion of vocational and technical training and to develop appropriate skilled manpower for export to the overseas markets. At the same time, in an attempt to search creative talents throughout the country, a Creative Talent Hunt Policy, 2012 has been formulated. I hope this initiative will see successful implementation from the next fiscal year.