Authorities restore power at CMC after 5hrs, allows time to pay Tk1.29cr outstanding bills

Authorities restored electricity connection to Chattogram Medical College (CMC) more five hours after it was disconnected this morning due to Tk1.29 crore in unpaid bills. 

Ashok Kumar Chowdhury, executive engineer of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Chattogram distribution and transmission department, confirmed the connection to CMC was restored around 4:30pm. 

He said, "In response to a letter from the CMC authority, we have restored the connection and given them some time to pay the outstanding bills."

Earlier, around 11am, officials from Chattogram's PDB cut off power to the academic building of the college due to the outstanding bills.

When inquired about power to the hospital, the executive engineer had told TBS that there were two separate metres for the hospital and the college, and some parts of the college metre were disconnected.

He further said, "Since last April, we have repeatedly sent notices and letters asking them to pay the dues. Despite multiple reminders and deadlines, they did not respond. With the end of June approaching, we are also under pressure."

CMC authorities said the bill was due for six months and they already informed the Health Ministry regarding the matter.

When asked, Chattogram Medical College Principal Professor Dr Shahena Akhter told TBS in the morning that they could not pay the bill due to a lack of allocation of funds. 

She also said that they had appealed to the PDB for restoration of connection and was in contact with them over the phone.

However, Dr Zebin Chowdhury, associate professor of the Department of Pediatrics, told TBS, "The classes scheduled in the morning took place uninterrupted despite the disconnection of electricity and there were no classes in the afternoon."