Protest Rally in Chattogram Against Price Hikes of Fuel, Gas, Water and Electricity.

Special correspondent, Chattogram. A protest rally was held at Anderkilla intersection in Chattogram at 5:00 pm on Monday, August 17, demanding the cancellation of plans to privatize fuel imports, electricity distribution, the railway, and 44 state-owned industries across the country, as well as the proposed 5 percent increase in the price of WASA water. The rally was organized by the Chattogram district branch of the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist) (BASD-Marxist). Advocate Shafi Uddin Kabir Abid, coordinator of the party’s Chattogram district branch, presided over the rally. Among others, district committee members Asma Akter, Jahedunnabi Kanak and Ripa Majumdar addressed the gathering. The leaders said, “Immediately after coming to power, the BNP government is handing over 44 state-owned enterprises, including Chattogram Chemical Complex, TSP Fertilizer Factory, Pragati Industries and KPM, along with more than 10,000 acres of land, to private ownership on the pretext of losses.” They said the country has already experienced the bitter consequences of privatization in the past, when land, machinery and bank loans of state-owned industries were allegedly looted in the name of privatization. “If state-owned enterprises are handed over to corporate groups in this manner, the country will become increasingly dependent on imports and foreign capital in the future,” the leaders said. “Privatization is not the solution to the crisis of state-owned industries. What is needed is modernization, effective production and marketing plans, and a long-term roadmap for national industrialization.” They further alleged that preparations are also underway to privatize strategic sectors, including electricity distribution, fuel imports and the railway. “As a result, the prices of fuel and electricity will rise, while railway fares will also increase, causing the greatest hardship to ordinary people,” they said. The leaders also alleged that the government is seeking to hand over the profitable New Mooring Container Terminal at Chattogram Port to DP World, warning that such a move could adversely affect the country’s economy, national security and sovereignty. They also criticized the proposed increase in the price of water supplied by Chattogram WASA. “Ordinary people are already struggling with rising prices. Amid this situation, Chattogram WASA has proposed a 5 percent increase in water prices,” the leaders said. “Around 93 percent of WASA’s customer connections in Chattogram are residential. Therefore, ordinary people will suffer the most if water prices are increased.” They pointed out that WASA had previously increased water prices by 38 percent in 2022. Despite repeated price increases, they alleged, the quality of WASA’s services has not improved. “Many areas of the city still do not receive adequate water supply, while complaints about dirty, foul-smelling and saline water have persisted for years,” they said. The leaders argued that there would be no need to increase water prices if effective measures were taken to prevent water theft and reduce system losses.