Coal mining options
I believe we should take up the coal mining issue dispassionately. The Barapukiria blunder is there before us, yet some (so-called intellectuals) want us to repeat the exercise elsewhere! Not true to the popular saying "once bitten twice shy', we tend to mislead people.
Unfortunately; they (the know it all) despite their limited background, knowledge or experience, or for that matter, awareness about coal mining have turned the open pit vis-à-vis underground shaft mining into an unnecessary emotional and cheap political issue; instead of a realistic, logical and pragmatic economic or operational based subject, ignoring cost-benefit oriented options that the country can adopt! They cite old historical matters without publishing any current data and technical or factual based writings from established authorities in support of their viewpoint.
In contrast, those who have seen the modern application of open-pit mining in Germany are presenting their opinions based on practical observations; and one should appreciate what they have to say.
May be our government should appoint a team with intelligent and open minded people with no baggage about past mining background, to study and observe the open pit mining in neighbouring India and may be also
Germany, and present their pragmatic viewpoint which can be the important background study for our national policy.
In addition, I feel that yours being a premier daily with interest on this important national issue along with interested local media and others should hold a day-long seminar to take up the subject in detail. Discussants however should be monitored to ensure that the matters presented are backed up with authentic documents and published writings, not theirs but outsiders' ( from other countries) of the last ten years; not earlier, as open pit mining is a new method of extraction of underground resources.
Possibly, the CTG can take up this proposal after sending a selected fact finding mission as proposed earlier and have it done by November or before
Eid if possible. This will bring out the realities, without emotions or partisan alignments on the subject and determine this vital national issue in the interest of the country without any political baggage attached.
I would earnestly request the Energy Adviser to take up this crucial national issue at the earliest. We Bangladeshis have wasted enough time; in line with the popular saying "Argumentative, thy name is Bengalee". Let us conclude this issue once and for all!
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