They said there are still enough resources and eligible persons to deal with present power outages.

The discussion titled 'Measures to solve water and electricity crisis' was organised jointly by Nagorik Sanghati, Sammilita Samajik Andolon and Samaj Anushilon Kendra in the city.

In a written statement, journalist Golam Kibria said the government laid more emphasis on power supply and transmission than power generation.

He said the establishment of Dhaka Electric Supply Authorities (Desa), Dhaka Electric Supply Company (Desco) and Rural Electrification Board (Reb) in addition to Power Development Board (PDB) led to financial and infrastructural losses in the sector.

On the other hand donor agencies and private companies grabbed thousands of crores of taka as consultancy and logistics support fees, he added.

Prof Shamsul Alam of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology attributed the electricity crisis to mismanagement and corruption.

"The PM should resign from the power ministry to help solve the current electricity crisis as the country possesses enough resources and efficient persons to meet power demand," he said.

He also called for forming public court to punish corrupt officials for leading the country to utter crisis of electricity.

The discussants laid emphasis on transparency and accountability of the authorities concerned for overall production, transmission and supply of electricity.

They also called tougher agitation like at Kansat, Fulbari and Shanir Akhra to resist mismanagement and corruption in the power sector.

Kazi Mohammad Shish, former chief engineer of Dhaka Wasa, said there is no alternative to water treatment plant for treating river water in order to meet the present demand of water.

He said Wasa has so far established only one plant at Sayedabad, but it could establish more water treatment plant to solve water crisis.

The expenditure for setting up of water treatment plant could be met from the revenue earned by the sector each year, he added.

Presided over by Dr Hayat Mamud, vice-president of Sammilita Samajik Andolon the discussion was also addressed by Ruhin Hossain Prince, member of the central committee of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Mosleh Uddin Masud, convenor of Shanir Akhra water, electricity movement committee, Mohidul Haque Khan, general secretary of Bapa and Prof Atiqur Rahman, president of Nagorik Sanghati.