Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku today said ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina weakened the banking sector in the name of development projects, adding that she failed to bring significant development to the country.

He made the remarks while exchanging views with worshippers after offering Jummah prayers at the Upazila Central Jame Mosque during a brief visit to Kamarkhand upazila in Sirajganj.

Tuku said the Awami League had gone underground, adding that the previous government had left a huge debt burden on the people.

"During Hasina's regime, it was claimed that this was built and that was done. But hundreds of thousands of crores of taka were taken as loans. A burden of Tk 35,000 crore in debt has been left on each of your shoulders," he said.

He said the current government has been elected by the people's votes and is carrying out its responsibilities with public cooperation.

Referring to the ongoing energy crisis, the minister urged people to understand the situation, saying wars had erupted in regions from where the country imports fuel oil, gas and petrol.

He also said attacks on oil refineries in Saudi Arabia had contributed to the global energy crisis.

Despite the crisis, the government was importing gas at higher prices to maintain an uninterrupted power supply, he added.

"When the government assumed office, the price of gas was 12 dollars, which has now risen to 32 dollars. Over the past few months, the government has provided Tk 46,000 crore in subsidies," he said.

Tuku said the power transmission line from Dhaka to Mymensingh had remained incomplete under the previous government but was completed within 10 months after the present government took office, significantly reducing load-shedding in Mymensingh.

Emphasising the potential of solar energy, he urged people to install solar panels at their homes to generate their own electricity, reduce power bills and meet part of their energy needs.