Dhaka: Rights group on Saturday said Bangladesh’s plan to increase coal dependency from the present 4% to 30 % in 2020 for energy will be suicidal.

Government should redirect present energy subsidy of $13 million toward renewable energy rather giving it to private companies for rental power plants, they said at a human chain jointly formed by twenty four labor, farmers and civil organizations in front of national press club, reports UNB.

Moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akhanda of COAST, the Human Chain Programme was addressed, among others by Subal Das of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity, Zayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Syed Aminul Haque and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD.

In his speech, Sayed Aminul Haque said though the government claim success of solar home installation, but there are hardly any government subsidies.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said that government should consult with the people on their energy policy.

The rights groups, including Uddipan, Udayan Bangladesh, Unnayan Dhara Trust, SDO, COAST, EquityBD, Jatiya Kishani Sromik Somiti, Jatiya Sromik Jote, Dwip Unnayan Sangsta, Pirojpur Gono Unnayan Somity, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Bangladesh Bumihin Somiti and Bangladesh Agriculture Farm Federation arranged the Human chain programme as it was observing global month of ‘Reclaim Power 2016: Transforming to Renewable Energy and to Stop Climate Crisis’.