Power lines in flood-affected areas cut off to prevent accidents: Energy adviser
There had been widespread irregularities in the power and energy sector, he says
Power lines in flood-affected areas have been kept disconnected to prevent accidents, Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said today (24 August).
"We have already prepared a list of damages. As soon as the water recedes, we will quickly restore the power lines," the adviser said during an inspection of a solar power plant near Paturia Ghat in Manikganj's Shibaloy Upazila.
The adviser further alleged that there had been widespread irregularities in the power and energy sector in the past.
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He said, "In 2010, a law was passed that exempted projects from competitive bidding, enabling favouritism and arbitrary price increases.
"The goal was to buy electricity at higher prices through irregularities and sell it to consumers at inflated rates."
Fouzul also mentioned that previously, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had to approve any increase in electricity or fuel prices. However, a clause was added last year that allowed the government to increase prices at its discretion.
He assured that such arbitrary price hikes would no longer be tolerated.
The adviser added, "On the first day of assuming my duties, I stopped the implementation of the 2010 law. Similarly, the government's power to increase prices has also been revoked."
