Bangladesh, Oct. 29 -- Bringing Rooppur into commercial operation expeditiously can give the BNP government the leverage to restructure a power sector that is draining public finances, consuming scarce foreign exchange and raising manufacturing costs.

Its strategic value extends beyond generating electricity. By reducing dependence on expensive US dollar capacity payment based power plants, Rooppur can strengthen the government's hand in negotiating amicable exits from unnecessary contracts and better terms for plants the country still needs.

And the best time for this negotiated settlement is this winter when demand drops considerably in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, while not entirely deliberate, commissioning delays of Rooppur is pushin...