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The government has imposed gas rationing for industrial clients across the country, requesting them to cease consuming natural gas for four hours daily from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for the next 15 days starting from today (Tuesday).
Vigilance teams of the state-run gas distribution companies will monitor execution of the gas rationing initiative, Petrobangla said in a press statement on Monday.
The rationing of gas consumption in industries is aimed at coping with the country's natural gas crisis to increase its consumption in the power plants and boost electricity supply during 'iftar' and 'tarabi' timings during the holy month of Ramadan, said sources.
The businessmen in a meeting with state minister for Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Monday agreed to abide by the gas rationing system in their industries, said a press release issued by the ministry.
During the meeting on power and energy situation in Biddyut Bhaban in the capital, Mr Hamid said electricity demand across the country increases significantly from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm during the month of Ramadan.
President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Jashim Uddin, Executive President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem, and President of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) Md M A Khokon attended the meeting, among others.
Meanwhile, stopping consumption of natural gas in the industries for four hours a day might affect industrial output, industry insiders said.
Currently, the CNG (compressed natural gas) filling stations remain shut for six hours daily during the peak electricity consumption period from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm under the gas rationing system.
The government imposed the gas rationing to squeeze gas supply to the CNG filling stations, and divert natural gas to the gas-guzzling power plants.
The ministry projected that electricity demand during the peak summer season will be around 15,500 megawatts (MW), and natural gas demand for the power plants will be around 1,500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).