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          Gas supply to the recently installed Tongi 80 megawatt (MW) power plant was suspended Monday as part of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division's gas rationing programme.
The Palash urea fertiliser factory is next to come under the programme that has been designed mainly to ensure gas supply to industries located at Tongi and Joydevpur on the outskirts of Dhaka.
"We have recommended suspension of gas supply to Tongi power plant and Palash fertiliser factory until December next to overcome partially the supply constraints," one working committee member told the FE Monday night.
The five-member working committee formed earlier to prepare an action plan on gas rationing finalised its recommendations Monday and submitted it to the Energy Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR).
Sources said the committee has asked the Petrobangla to dig new wells in existing gas fields on emergency basis by December next to enhance gas production capacity by additional 45 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).
Meanwhile, the country's apex trade body - the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) - however, expressed its concern Monday over the short supply of gas and demanded of the government to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas to industrial units across the country.
"New gas connections to bulk and non-bulk consumers have to be suspended temporarily to cope with the ever-increasing gas demand," the committee recommended further.
Petrobangla sources said, despite halting gas supply to Tongi power plant, there was an estimated supply-shortfall of 100 mmcfd on Monday.
Of the total supply, power sector consumed 670 mmcfd, fertiliser factories 264 mmcfd and private industries and domestic users 581 mmcfd of gas Monday, Petrobangla sources said.
Tongi power plant consumed 14.9 mmcfd of gas as on October 10 last. Palash urea fertiliser factory consumed 14.5 mmcfd of gas on Monday.
Commenting on the issue EMRD Advisor Mahmudur Rahman claimed that 90 per cent of the problem with gas supply could be overcome following the suspension of gas supply to Tongi power plant.
The remaining 10 per cent of the problem would be solved through the suspension of gas supply to Palash fertiliser factory, he told the newsmen Monday.
He, however, said clearance from the high command is necessary to stop supply of gas to the Palash fertiliser factory.
Sources in the Power Division of the MPEMR told the FE that they were not informed about the latest decision of the EMRD.
During his meeting with the FBCCI leaders, Rahman assured the industrialists of uninterrupted supply of gas to industrial units.
FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain said the local industries have been failing to fulfill production commitment to the local and foreign buyers due to the existing gas crisis.
Among others, President of the ISP Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) Akhtaruzzaman Manju, President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Haque and Vice President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shahidul Islam were present.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's office (PMO) Thursday formed a working committee headed by secretary to the Power Division Nazrul Islam to prepare an action plan on gas rationing.
Other members of the high-powered committee include the EMRD Secretary, the Chairman of the Petrobnagla, the Chairman of the Power Development Board (PDB) and the Chairman of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC).