Scrap rampal plant, ensure transparency in power deals: Anu Muhammad

Noted economist Prof Anu Muhammad today (24 May) described the Rampal power plant as a "symbol of Indian dominance" and called on the government to scrap the project, even at the cost of short-term financial losses.

"The Rampal plant reflects a legacy of subservience. The current government must explore legal means to terminate this project," he said at a shadow parliament session held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. 

"Any financial losses can be recovered by confiscating the ill-gotten wealth of those who looted the energy sector," said a press release, quoting the economist.

He also slammed charges paid to idle power plants as a "hotbed of corruption" and labelled the Adani power deal "anti-national". Quick rental power plants, he said, are no longer necessary and should be phased out.

"The public deserves to know how so many corrupt figures involved in the energy sector managed to flee the country. Without naming and shaming them, they will simply return with new disguises," he warned.

He also criticised the government's recent move to repeal the Energy Sector Indemnity Ordinance while allegedly attaching fresh conditions that undermined public expectations. 

"The so-called public hearings under the previous government to determine energy prices were a farce. We hope the current administration breaks from that legacy," he added.

The shadow parliament, organised by Debate for Democracy and presided over by its Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran, addressed the theme of looting in the energy sector under previous administrations.

In his opening remarks, Kiran said, "Not a single power plant during the past regime was established without financial exchange. Politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen colluded to plunder public money." 

He accused Hasina of single-handedly backing a "systematic looting" of the sector.

Kiran said billions were siphoned abroad through trade-based money laundering schemes involving furnace oil and coal imports. "Importers and exporters were often controlled by the same owners. In many cases, coal and oil were imported at double or triple the price."

He further claimed faulty prepaid meters consumed money even when no electricity was used, and that some industrial gas pipelines were supplying air instead of gas. "Households face serious gas shortages, but still must pay full bills," he said.

To restore accountability in the energy sector, Debate for Democracy issued ten policy recommendations. These include public disclosure and review of all past power and energy deals, repealing the indemnity ordinance, forensic audits of BPC, and shifting focus from LNG imports to domestic gas and coal exploration.

They also urged transparent public hearings on energy pricing, a phase-out of costly quick rentals, accurate demand forecasting, enhanced transmission lines, and fair import pricing of key fuels.

In the parliamentary debate contest titled "Lack of proper planning is the root of plundering in the energy sector", Dhaka International University defeated Bangladesh Textile University. 

Judges included academics and journalists, such as Prof Abu Muhammad Rais and journalist Mainul Alam. Trophies, crests and certificates were awarded to participating teams following the event.

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