The situation has not improved inthe power sector though the government has spent the highest amount of moneyfrom its annual development programme (ADP) in the sector.

Government expenditure in powersector in the first eight months (Jul-Feb) of the current fiscal stands almostequal to the amount spent throughout the last fiscal year. Yet, power crisis isdeepening with power outage at every alternate hour while the countryexperiences a sweltering summer heat wave.

The government says despite anincrease in power generation crisis in the sector remains as the demand hasshot up. According to the review of ADP implementation for 2011-2012, thegovernment in the first eight months already spent Tk 42.26 billion in thepower sector against an allocation of total Tk 71.45 billion.

The allocation made in powersector is 16 percent of the whole ADP while the implantation rate in the sectorstands at 59 percent. In 2010-2011 fiscal year, the ADP allocation for powerwas Tk 59.81 billion while the expenditure was Tk 59.12 billion.

The ADP review was submitted at ameeting of National Economic Council (NEC) on Sunday (Apr 1). The meeting hasapproved the revised ADP budget bringing its total allocation down to TK 410billion from Tk 460 billion.

However, the allocation in thepower sector has been increased by Tk 38 crore, though allocation in the othersectors was slashed.

"We have engaged all ourefforts to overcome the power crisis. Power plants are being set up one afteranother, both in public and private sectors. And allocation in ADP for thesector has been increased as part of that effort," said planning ministerA K Khandker.

"At the NEC meeting, theprime minister has directed us to transfer the unused ADP budget of a ministryto the other one. If needed, the allocation in power sector would be increasedfurther," he added.

The government is facingwidespread criticism for the power crisis against its claim that powergeneration has increased. In the wake of criticism, the prime minister herselfsaid she wish she could stop the increased power generation to make peopleunderstand how much the situation has changed.

On the other hand, leaders fromopposition BNP and even from the government's ally Jatiya Party questionedauthenticity of the PM's statement asking where the increased power is beingsupplied. According to Power Development Board, daily power production nowstands at around 5000MW against a demand of over 6000MW.