Bangladeshi MPs criticize energy policies

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- A Bangladeshi parliamentary standing committee has criticized state-owned energy company Petrobangla for its slow pace in developing the nation's natural gas.

The Daily Star Online reported Thursday that Petrobangla top management was rebuked at a meeting of a parliamentary standing committee for not only its sluggish policy in extracting natural gas but its "incorrect and misleading statistics" on production and the country's natural gas reserves as well.

The parliamentary standing committee on estimates also asked the government to reorganize immediately Petrobangla and its 11 gas and distribution companies' board of directors by replacing inefficient board members with what it labeled "efficient, experienced, honest and patriotic persons." Committee members also commented that Petrobangla and state owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Co. Ltd. have turned into "inefficient organizations depending on massive bureaucracy," further rejecting Petrobangla's method of measuring the country's natural gas reserves, as their process did adhere to international standards.

Standing committee on estimates chief HN Ashequr Rahman, acting on behalf of committee members, submitted a 21-point recommendation at the meeting to increase the country's natural gas and coal production.