SANGSAD BHABAN, June 4, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her call to the countrymen to maintain austerity in all spheres of life including power consumption as none can say how long existing unusual global situation would continue.

"We also need to augment food production. We have to try. None can say how long this unusual global situation would exist," she said.

She added, "May be the situation could turn worse. But, for the food safety of the masses, we are doing everything."

The Premier said this while speaking on a condolence motion moved by Speaker DR. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on late ruling party lawmaker Dr. Afsarul Amin in parliament.

Dr M Afsarul Amin died Friday afternoon at a city hospital at the age of 71.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina noted that food shortage, inflation, operating and transportation costs, electricity shortage have made life unbearable for all across the world in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent Ukraine-Russia war. The situation may deteriorate further, she apprehended.

The premier said that her government has successfully brought the whole country under electricity coverage as it promised before the election. But amid global crisis some hurdles have been created in procuring oil, gas and coal for generation plants, she said.

Pointing out the signing of the agreements with Qatar and Oman for purchasing fuel, the prime minister said, steps also have taken to procure coal to resume production of the coal-based power plants. The government also taken measures to import hydropower, she added.

The Prime Minister said people are enjoying the benefits of independence as the country is progressing fast under the present government and socioeconomic development have reached to the doorsteps of the people.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is not the only country sufferings from Ukraine-Russia war, sanctions, counter-sanctions, global inflation and fuel crisis.

Developed countries are also struggling to cope with the crisis, she said adding that fuel crisis also prevailed in the countries in Europe and America. They are also experiencing power outrage, forcing them to limit power consumption.

"Price of food and other essentials has gone up in those countries and many people are losing their jobs," she said.

"I don't know whether this kind of situation had happened ever before. Maybe after World War I. After the WWII, there was a famine," Sheikh Hasina said.

Recalling the contribution of Dr. Afsarul Amin to politics from his student life the prime minister paid her rich tributes to his memories saying "he (Afsarul Amin) played great role in every national movement.

"Afsarul Amin was a politician firmly devoted to the people and his devotion and honesty towards the party was incomparable," she said. Afsarul Amin also showed great success as a minister," the premier said.

Awami League lawmakers Tofail Ahmed, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Deputy Minister for Education Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury, Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Motahar Hossain and Nurul Islam Nahid along with Jatiya Party members Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Mashiur Rahman Ranga, among others, took part in the discussion on the motion.

Later, the House unanimously adopted the condolence motion expressing profound grief over the demise of Dr Afsarul Amin.