Referring to government's temporary steps taken as energy-saving measures, she asked all concerned to be more enterprising and active to quickly overcome such crisis situation.

"Power division is seller of power and electricity-user common people are clients," she said, reminding them all that power is now not only a service sector but recognised as a commercial product all over the world.

While inaugurating a new power substation, the Prime Minister told the rank and file of the power sector that "system loss of power will have to be further reduced and all types of irregularities curbed" in order to put their account straight and function efficiently to reach the set goal.

She said investment in power sector has been given high priority in IPRSP for realising her government's commitment to reach quality and adequate electricity at reasonable tariffs to all the people by 2020.

Khaleda was inaugurating Aminbazar 230/132KV power substation at Aminbazar and 230KV Hasanbad-Aminbazar and Aminbazar-Tongi power transmission lines.She said an additional 360 megawatts of power will be added to the national grid by February after completion of some projects.

She said power centres with 1,020 megawatts of capacity have been put into operation in last four years, and if the initiatives taken by her government continued, it would be possible to generate 2,900 MW more power in next five years.

She said new connections had been given to nearly 33 lakh people in last four years when 300-kilometer transmission and 66,000-kilometer power distribution lines set up.

Khaleda said they formed Energy Regulatory Commission for proper management of power, gas and petroleum sectors and their coordination. She hoped that this would improve the standard of power service and protect the consumers' interest.

She said the state-owned Power Grid Company has been made more effective and stronger for rapid development of power sector. Already these companies

have finished many important transmission lines and construction of power substations. And massive development will take place in power-transmission system after completion of a good number of projects.

Khaleda formally opened the Aminbazar power substation and power transmission lines by unveiling plaques. The government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have jointly financed the scheme.

State Minister for Power Division Iqbal Hassan Mahmud and local MP Dewan Md Salauddin also spoke on the occasion.