Politicians of the region pledged many times before election that gas supply to the region would be their priority, but they did not keep the promise after going to power.

They also called upon people to unite under a platform and raise their voice for supply to the region including Rajshahi city.

Rajshahi Protection Movement Council (RPMC), a citizens' forum, organised the roundtable on "Gas Supply to Rajshahi: Women's Thought" at Nanking community center with its conveynor Zamat Khan in the chair.

Eminent litterateur and columnist Maleka Begum attended the roundtable as chief guest. Engineer Tajul Islam read out the keynote paper. Prof Shahanara Hossain moderated the roundtable, attended by over one hundred housewives.

Maleka Begum said gas supply to Rajshahi is a legitimate demand of the city dwellers as they pay taxes like people of other cities having gas.

"Gas supply to this agriculturally viable region will play a vital role in setting up of agro-based industries and changing the socio-economic condition", she said. Other speakers also echoed her voice.

She also criticised the government for its "eagerness to export gas rather than taking initiative to supply gas to every corner of the country first".

Prof Khanam Mamtaz of Rajshahi University said, gas would have been supplied much earlier had politicians been sincere. "The government can not ignore a demand by ruling party men". Opposition politicians are also to be blamed equally. They also flouted their promised, she said.

Lawyer Shamim Ara Billah said the present government has not taken any step in two years though gas supply to Rajshahi was its polls pledge. She called for building a movement for gas in the region.

Sarmin Sultana, Editor of Weekly Duniya said, gas supply to this region would reduce the use of firewood and thus help maintaining the ecology.

Housewife Manjuara Khatun said the government is "cheating" people by inspiring them to use gas cylinders.

Schoolteacher Rawshan Ara Begum said people of Rajshahi will not tolerate the no-gas situation for long while other cities are getting the facility. If necessary, they will go for a movement.

RPMC Conveynor Jamat Khan asked Mizanur Rahman Minu MP to relinquish the post of Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation as he failed to bring gas for the city dwellers despite pledges several times earlier.