200-digit recharge tokens leave prepaid electricity users frustrated in Sylhet
Many say the lengthy codes are difficult to enter correctly, leading to repeated errors and, in some cases, causing meters to become locked
Electricity consumers in Sylhet using prepaid meters say they are facing significant difficulties after receiving unusually long recharge tokens, with some codes stretching to more than 200 digits following recent top-ups.
Customers report receiving token numbers ranging from 80 to 240 digits after recharging their meters.
Many say the lengthy codes are difficult to enter correctly, leading to repeated errors and, in some cases, causing meters to become locked.
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As a result, some households have been left without electricity for hours during hot weather while attempting to resolve the problem. Customers are also having to pay extra just to reactivate them.
Many have also criticised what they describe as a lack of support from electricity authorities.
Residents say the issue began after recent recharges, when text messages containing exceptionally long token numbers started arriving on their phones.
"I received a token of nearly 240 digits after recharging my meter," said Wasim Ahmed, a resident of the Shibganj area of Sylhet city. "Even after several attempts, I could not successfully enter the code into the meter."
Consumers say even experienced users are struggling to input the lengthy numbers, while elderly and less tech-savvy customers face even greater difficulties.
What the BPDB says
Officials from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) say the issue is linked to the implementation of revised electricity tariffs rather than any technical fault.
According to the government agency, residential prepaid electricity bills are calculated using a six-tier tariff structure.
Following recent government-approved electricity price adjustments, unit rates have changed across most tariff bands.
To update prepaid meters with the new tariff information, customers are being sent an additional token alongside their regular recharge code, says the BPDB.
Abdur Razzak, executive engineer (Sales and Distribution Division-2) of the BPDB's Sylhet office, said customers only need to complete the process once.
"Because of the tariff adjustment, customers must use a longer token one time. If the code is entered correctly, the meter will recognise the new tariff structure, and future recharges will return to the normal token format," he said.
He added that officials are assisting customers seeking help with the issue.
Nesco issues clarification
Northern Electricity Supply PLC (Nesco) also says the long tokens are neither an error nor an abnormal occurrence.
According to the power distribution company, the additional token is part of the standard process for updating prepaid meters with the new electricity tariff.
Nesco says the approximately 220-digit token sent via SMS or customer portals is divided into segments of 20 digits separated by commas.
Customers must enter the first 20-digit segment into the meter and press the green or "Enter" button before proceeding with the next segment, it states, adding that the process must be repeated until all sections have been entered successfully.
Once completed, the meter balance will be updated and the new electricity tariff will take effect, the company says.
