Dhaka, Aug 27: With the issue of gas export to India becoming a matter of intense political debate in Bangladesh, two expert committees on assessment of the country's gas reserve today submitted their reports to the government. The reports were submitted to Bangladesh premier Begum Khaleda Zia by energy minister A K M Moshrarraf in the presence of committee members.
The contents of report were not officially divulged immediately, but newspapers quoting committee sources said that the country can export only if new fields were discovered as the present reserves were limited.
During his recent visit here, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha had expressed willingness to buy gas from Bangladesh on mutually agreed terms. However, the issue was not raised during his talks with Bangladesh officials.
The committees were formed late last year to assess reserve and utilization of natural gas in the country after the issue was opposed by some political parties. Th decision over the sensitive issue is likely to be taken after the discussion in Parliament next month.
Earlier, a report published by the daily star quoting opinion of majority members said the export of gas would be "suicidal".
Main opposition Awami League has renewed its vow to resist any attempt to export gas and urged people prepare to wage a movement if the government decided to allow the export.
Bureau Report