CAN WE END LOAD-SHEDDING DURING RAMADAN?

Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims, comes with many a challenge in Bangladesh. A government’s success or failure is often measured by how effectively it overcomes challenges like keeping the price spiral in check, ensuring an adequate supply of some of the special items whose demand spikes during this holy month (such as dates and fruits) and making the entire month free of electricity outage or load-shedding. This year’s fasting month starts on the first day of March (the Bengali month of Chaitra), when the summer season will start bringing heat and humidity. Hopefully, the nights may remain a bit cooler, though the days are expected to be scorching. The demand for electricity, especially during the daytime, will increase, putting extra pressure on the generation and its smooth supply. Fans and air conditioners (a privilege for the affluent) are expected to run in full swing, while the use of power for lighting the houses will increase.

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The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, has been in office for over six months now, and the upcoming month of Ramadan is the first test it faces to prove its competence in overcoming these challenges. Prices of the essential commodities must not increase during this month. On the electricity front, the incidents of load-shedding must be kept in check. Fully aware of the things to be done, the government is promising to take measures aimed at making the essential commodities available in the market at affordable prices. The other big challenge is to ensure no critical load-shedding occurs during this month. The government appears to be prepared for the task.

Energy, Power, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said in a recent media briefing, "We will try to ensure no load-shedding during Ramadan, but that doesn't mean there won't be any.”