Coal mining to start!
Your front-page report on the matter published on October 6th has at least opened the door of possible open-pit coal mining in Bangladesh.
Many so-called energy experts and intellectuals (virtual know-alls) with bookish knowledge and nothing else; and without an iota of mining experience, will as usual cry foul. They are out to sabotage any mining proposal per se. At least the government has gone to the Germans, who have knowledge and hands-on experience in both deep shaft and open pit mining. It is the proper source for expert opinion. It is time that the "Buddhi-Jibies" put a stop to their endless "Bakwas" and go back to their books; and refrain from talking on matters in which they are practically novices!
In the larger interest of the country, we have to maximise utilisation of our natural resource for producing the desperately needed electricity, and coal the raw material for it is lying underground! It will hopefully contain our fast depleting natural gas and reduce the import of liquid fuel. This will be good for the economic health of the country.
Of course, the people affected by the mining should be provided needed facilities for re-settlement; and compensated for their loss; which in the overall context of foreign exchange needed for energy in Bangladesh is marginal; possibly no more than one or at most two years cost of imported fuel.
If the BNP government had signed any agreement, it was under duress and in any case they cannot sign away the right to explore and exploit natural resources. This will be worse than selling our natural resources for earning foreign exchange. Such illogical agreement against the interest of the country, should be ignored which will be supported by an overwhelming majority of people!
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