ZCZC
BSS-04
ELECTRIFICATION-ECONOMY (with picture)
Electrification boosts rural economy in Rangpur
RANGPUR, July 8, 2018 (BSS) – Rural economy in the district is boosting
as the small and medium scale entrepreneurs have set up 5,360 power-run
cottage and small-scale industries and enterprises taking the advantage of
rural electrification.
“The power-run enterprises are thriving fast creating jobs to cut
poverty and improve life standard of the rural people,” said Superintending
Engineer (Current Charge) at Rangpur Zonal Office of Rural Electrification
Board (REB) Md Ramjan Ali.
Two Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) authorities have so far given around 5.80-
lakh residential, industrial and other connections, including 5,360
connections to cottage and small and medium scale industries and enterprises
here.
“The PBS-1 and PBS-2 have brought three upazilas under total electricity
coverage and are working to bring other five upazilas under full electricity
coverage here by September next,” Ali added.
Talking to BSS, Anwarul Islam, 55, of village Chandanpat Matiyapara
under Sadar upazila said he led poor life with his wife Sheuly Begum, 43, and
son Shishir, 5, for years together.
“But, my life started changing since I set up a welding workshop
‘Shishir Traders’ at nearby Chandanpat Bazar and started welding works using
electricity two years ago,” he said.
Anwarul now earns Taka 20,000 to 25,000 a month after paying monthly
electricity bills ranging between Taka 1,500 and 2,000.
Youth Shudha Ranjan, 30, of village Matiyapara said he started running a
small welding workshop at Chandanpat Bazar five years back using electricity
there.
“Now, I earn over Taka 20,000 a month to meet all demands of my family
comprising of my mother Bano Bala and elder brother Nirmal Chandra,” said a
solvent Ranjan adding that he would marry soon.
Motiar Rahman of village Sreerampur said he runs a husking mill using
electricity and crushes paddy at Chandanpat Bazar earning Taka 25,000 monthly
after meeting all expenses.
Kajol Barman, 25, of village Gopinathpur under Sadar upazila said he
worked at a tailoring shop in Rangpur city for six years.
It was tough for Kajol to manage his family comprising of his father
Dilip Chandra, mother Maya Rani, brothers Koilash Chandra, 20, and Polash,
17, wife Joyoshree Rani, 20, with his small incomes.
“Taking the facility of electricity supply, I set up a tailoring shop
“Noya Selai Ghar” at Chalk Yusufpur Bazar near my village five years back,”
Kajol said.
Now, Kajol works at his shop day and night with his employee Mostafiz
and earns Taka 15,000 to 20,000 every month after meeting all expenses.
Emdadul Haque, 45, of village Khaluapara in Sadar upazila was unemployed
to lead miserable life with his wife and three children ten years back.
“Taking loan under ‘Ekti Bari, Ekti Khamar’ project, I set up a small
enterprise at nearby Paglapeer Bazar in 2010 to recharge batteries for auto
rickshaws using electricity,” Emdadul said.
Emdadul has expanded his enterprise now, employed three employees,
constructed a semi-pacca house and he has five cows to lead affluent life.
Divisional Commissioner Kazi Hassan Ahmed said rural electrification is
helping to flourish cottage, small and medium scale enterprises making rural
economy stronger and further improving economic vulnerability index and life
standard of the people.
BSS/SPL/MI/SA/1125 HRS