Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Gulshan residence runs on solar power, Power Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku has told parliament.

Solar panels and batteries keep the house powered around the clock, he said on Wednesday.

"You know our prime minister is now off the grid. His house runs entirely on solar power. He has installed batteries. With battery backup, electricity runs at his house 24 hours a day," Tuku said.

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal hoped cabinet members would follow the prime minister's example.

More than 8,000 service providers have applied under a government tender to install solar systems, Tuku said. The deadline has been extended by three months to allow more providers to apply.

He was responding to ...