BAHARAM KHAN and ASIFUR RAHMAN

The government is weighing a set of austerity measures, including extending weekends and introducing work‑from‑home options, as mounting global uncertainties put pressure on the energy sector.

Adjusting office hours and taking classes partially online are also being considered.

Officials from the Cabinet Division and the Prime Minister’s Office said all agencies have been asked to prepare proposals on saving energy, which would be placed at the next cabinet meeting.

They said a three‑month short‑term plan is being drafted, with mid‑ and long‑term strategies under consideration if the US-Israel war on Iran grinds on.

The move comes amid tight fuel supplies, kilometre‑long queues at filling stations, and rising import costs.

Officials said at least eight measures were under discussion.

These include adding an extra day to the weekend or allowing officials to work from home for two days a week.

Office hours may be adjusted, either by starting earlier or reducing working time.

To cut fuel and power use in educational institutions, half of the weekly classes may be held online.

Officials said no final decision has been made, and the cabinet would determine which steps to adopt.

Beyond energy savings, the government is also seeking to ease pressure on foreign currency reserves as energy import bills are expected to rise further in the coming days.

Proposals to save foreign currency include restricting overseas trips by officials and avoiding unnecessary government borrowing.

A proposal to raise fuel prices may also be placed at the meeting, although officials said it remains uncertain, as the government has repeatedly said it does not want to hike prices at this stage.

“If the global situation worsens, we may need to move beyond short‑term steps,” a senior official said, pointing to possible six‑month and one‑year plans.

Several ministries have already begun drafting their own austerity measures, sources said.

The government has already taken steps in recent days to curb fuel hoarding.

Officials say demand-side control may now be necessary to ease the pressure.

Demand-side control, or Demand-Side Management (DSM), refers to utility-driven strategies aimed at influencing, reducing, or shifting electricity consumption patterns, particularly during peak demand periods.

None of the officials contacted for this story agreed to speak on the record.

A senior public administration ministry official, requesting anonymity, argued that faster action is needed.

“We have experience from the Covid period. Decisions could have been taken earlier. If required, a special cabinet meeting can be called,” the official said.

Another official said that many in the current cabinet are new in governing, which may slow down the decision-making process during a crisis. The official suggested involving those who handled past crises.

The Daily Star yesterday tried several times to contact Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, but none of them picked up the calls. Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam’s phone was found switched off.

Meanwhile, the public administration ministry yesterday asked offices to strictly follow energy-saving instructions issued earlier this month.

These include using natural light during the day, keeping air conditioner temperature at 25 degrees Celsius or higher, and turning off electrical equipment when not in use.

Offices have also been asked to avoid unnecessary lighting and ensure efficient use of energy.

Each office will form a vigilance team to monitor whether the instructions are being followed.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is exerting growing pressure on global energy markets, with Bangladesh among the countries feeling the strain as disruptions in fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies begin to affect electricity generation.

At the centre of concern is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and LNG shipments. Any disruption there directly impacts import‑dependent nations like Bangladesh, where power plants rely heavily on overseas gas and fuel supplies.

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