Dhaka, July 7 -- The people of the country will directly be benefited with the recent hike in gas prices, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque told Parliament on Sunday.

The minister made the statement while responding to a supplementary question from Jasod MP Shirin Akhtar.

He was replying to the question on behalf of State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid who was not present in Parliament.

"The gas price has been increased several times.there were reactions against these moves, too. I'm admitting that the common people were slightly affected due to this government move," he said.

Dr Razzaque said gas or coal, or diesel is needed for producing power. "The government has to give huge subsidy to this sector."

He also said ...