The government is considering a plan lor exchange of electricity among the SAARC countlies, Slate Minister for Power, I neigy and Mineral Resources (Power Divi sion) Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said in die city yesteiday.

Replying to a question from Prof Shahidul Islam ol BNP Ironi kushtia in the Jatiya Sangsad yes terday. said the government was also examining matters relating to exchange ol electricity between Bangladesh and India "There is a proposal from India to set up an electricity plant at Bherainara in Kushtia under joint venture, so that surplus electricity can be expoiled," he told the questioner.

Prof Shahidul Islam raised the question on behalf of Md Mahlrul Huq ‘Chowdhury of BNP from Comilla.

However, on another supplementary from Moazzem Hossain Alai of BNP from Barisal, the state minister said Bangladesh might import electricity from Nepal and Bhutan on the basis ol discussion

with them. "We will take decision on this matter only through discussion with our neighbours," he told another questionei Mia (iolam Parwar (lamaai Khulna).

On a question from (iolam Mohammad Siraj of BNP Irom Bogra, Mahmud said the Power Development Board (PDB) had already formulated die sixth five year plan for a permanent solution ol electricity crisis in the country.

“ I he highest demand lor electricity in 2002 will he 3,659 MW while it will shoot up to 6.071 MW in 2007," he said. According to this five-year plan, he said, an addi tional 3,919 MW would have to be included in the current power generation system.

Mahmud said this additional generation would require a huge cost

On supplementaries raised by BNP and Jamaal legislators Kazi Alauddin, (iolam Habid Dulal, Principal Sohrabuddin and llafi /uddin Ahmed, he said, the go\ eminent would provide* electricity to all areas ol the country alter availability of funds.