CAB stages human chain in Chattogram, calls for trial of energy ‘looters’, cancellation of contracts

Dozens of consumer rights activists and energy sector campaigners formed a human chain in front of the Chattogram Press Club this morning (20 December), demanding the immediate cancellation of all contracts signed under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, which they described as an indemnity law that has facilitated widespread corruption in the power and energy sector.

The programme was organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Chattogram and Youth CAB Chattogram. Speakers at the demonstration said that over the past 15 years, non-competitive contracts, excessive capacity payments to private power plants, and overpriced LNG imports have caused massive financial losses to the state, even when electricity was not generated.

The protesters demanded the formation of an Energy Price Stabilisation Fund, to be financed through compensation recovered from individuals and entities accused of looting the sector.

They also called for the public identification of those responsible, their prosecution, and the adoption of transparent and accountable energy policies.

Presiding over the programme, CAB Central Vice President SM Nazer Hossain said a powerful syndicate has used the indemnity law to siphon off billions of takas through capacity charges, much of which has allegedly been transferred abroad.

He added that while the country's electricity generation capacity has increased fourfold, costs have risen 11 times, largely due to rental power plants and opaque agreements. "Subsidies meant for the people end up benefiting oligarchs," Hossain said, referring to the proposed Tk40,000 crore subsidy for electricity and Tk7,000 crore for gas in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Other speakers, including columnist Musa Khan, CAB leaders Ajay Mitra Shanku and Shahadat Hossain, and youth activists, echoed calls for reforming Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and establishing an independent commission free from conflicts of interest to review projects.

The 2010 Act, originally intended to fast-track energy supply amid shortages, has faced longstanding criticism for bypassing tender processes and granting legal immunity, enabling alleged favoritism and inefficiency.

Though the interim government has initiated reviews and suspended new projects under it in recent years, protesters insisted that full repeal and accountability are long overdue. As Bangladesh grapples with high energy costs and subsidy burdens, today's demonstration underscores growing public frustration with the sector's governance.