Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the Power Division to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the rural areas as soon as possible.

She gave the instruction at the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.

The meeting began with the cabinet members speaking on the Sunday night's rain that brought some relief for the people from the searing heat, said sources.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said there would not be much problem in the harvest of paddy as farmers in most of the haor areas completed their harvest. He thanked State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid for ensuring smooth  power supply to rural areas during the Boro season, the sources added.

The PM then asked the Power Division to provide uninterrupted power supply to the rural areas as it has been doing throughout the boro season.

"Provide uninterrupted power supply so that rural people don't suffer," a minister quoted the premier as saying.

After the meeting, Nasrul Hamid told reporters at the Secretariat that they are working for zero load shedding.

He, however, declined to comment when asked about the discussion on load shedding at the cabinet meeting.

He added that they were trying to solve the issue of load shedding.

"We have been observing this situation for the last one month. Several [liquid] fuel-run power plants remain closed because of shortage of fuel," said Nasrul, adding that they are resuming operation of the plants gradually.

The prime minister is aware of the situation, he added.

On the MPs' criticism over the load shedding in the House, he said their criticism was logical as they are accountable to their constituents.

Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu told parliament that villagers have to remain without power for around 12 hours a day.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain said the cabinet did not approve drafts of two proposed (amended) laws, which were scheduled to be okayed, as one was withdrawn and another was sent back to the ministry concerned with instructions.