Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that if a decision is taken to extract coal through open-pit mining in Phulbari, Dinajpur, arrangements will first be made to secure the livelihoods of local people.

He made the remarks in reply to a supplementary question from Jamaat-e-Islami reserved-seat MP Sabikun Nahar during the scheduled question-and-answer session of the third session of parliament on Wednesday. The prime minister’s question-and-answer session was held at the beginning of the sitting, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.

In her supplementary question, Sabikun Nahar said the government had recently been discussing open-pit coal mining on the grounds of addressing the energy crisis. Despite this method could increase coal production, it could have a significant impact on agricultural land, settlements, groundwater levels and, particularly, biodiversity. Such concerns have persisted for a long time over the Phulbari project, she said.

She further said that addressing the energy crisis was certainly urgent. But if agricultural land is destroyed, thousands of people are displaced, and irreversible environmental damage is caused in the name of open-pit coal mining, such development would not serve the people. The government must first publish a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment and ensure the consent of local communities, she said, asking about the government’s position on the matter.

In reply, the prime minister said, “We do politics for this country and its people. The concern raised by the honourable MP is valid. We certainly want to resolve the country’s energy problem. We have a coal mine in Phulbari, and its coal is among the best in the world. So, if we can extract this coal to address the energy crisis, it’ll save foreign currency and be beneficial for the country.”

The prime minister further said that if coal is extracted through open-pit mining, the government will first decide how to make arrangements for the people living in the area and those dependent on agricultural land. A project will be undertaken to ensure that their livelihoods and sources of income are not disrupted, including through appropriate rehabilitation arrangements. “We’ll review how they can benefit in some way from the project and make a decision, while giving due importance to environmental considerations,” he said.

In reply to a question from reserved-seat MP Selina Sultana, the prime minister said Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX), a state-owned enterprise, had effectively been crippled during the previous authoritarian regime. The government is consequently implementing an integrated action plan to help the country overcome the current energy crisis caused by inadequate gas exploration and dependence on imports.

In response to the MP’s question, the prime minister outlined various plans to address the gas crisis. He said 30 wells had already been drilled under a programme to drill or conduct workovers on 150 wells as part of efforts to increase domestic gas production. The programme has added 140 MMSCFD of gas to the national grid. Once the seven wells currently under construction are completed, another 85 MMSCFD of gas will be added. Projects for drilling the remaining wells are being taken up in phases.

The head of government said an action plan had been adopted to conduct 4,500 line kilometres of 2D seismic surveys and 4,200 square kilometres of 3D seismic surveys to explore domestic gas sources. He said the process of procuring two new rigs each is underway to strengthen Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX).

The prime minister said a bidding round had been invited following approval of the Offshore Model PSC 2026. Gas exploration through the onshore model is also in the process of being approved. If gas is discovered through offshore and onshore exploration, it will play a significant role in ensuring the country’s energy security.