Tk35,000cr plundered in energy sector in 2022 alone – how much in 15 years, CAB asks
The organisation also urged the government not to hike electricity and fuel prices for the next three years
Highlights:
Some of the 11 demands made by CAB
- No energy price hike for 3 years
- Formation of Energy Sector Reform Commission
- Action plan against exploitation
- Implementation of petroleum pricing regulations
- Removal of senior cadre officers
A staggering Tk35,000 crore has been embezzled in 2022 alone from the country's energy sector, said the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) today (1 September), citing one of their public hearing reports published in 2023.
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This leaves one to question how much was embezzled during the entirety of the Awami League regime.
"A more extensive government investigation is needed to determine the total amount embezzled in this sector over the past 15 years," said CAB Energy Adviser Professor M Shamsul Alam while speaking at a press conference today at the Dhaka Reporters Unity's Sagar-Runi Hall.
Prof Shamsul further said a list of individuals involved in corruption and embezzlement at any level of power, primary energy, and renewable energy supply should be made public, and they should be prosecuted as "energy criminals".
According to CAB, over the past 15 years, nearly Tk1 lakh crore has been spent in the power sector under the guise of capacity charges, with the majority of this amount going to companies closely affiliated with the Awami League government. Billions of taka have been looted through non-competitive practices and selling power and energy at inflated prices.
"We are urging for transparency, fairness, equity, rationality, and accountability at all levels of energy supply to ensure that consumers receive electricity, primary energy, and renewable energy services at fair prices without falling victim to exploitation," said Prof Shamsul while putting forth several demands aimed at reforming the energy sector and protecting consumer rights.
A total of 11 demands were presented at the conference by the consumer rights' organisation.
To address deficits, prevent price hikes, and manage crises, the organisation demanded that the rates for electricity and primary energy should not be increased for the next three years and this should be achieved by curbing unnecessary and unjustified expenditures.
The CAB also proposed the formation of an "Energy Sector Reform Commission" under the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) that would be tasked with drafting reform proposals for the energy sector, guided by the proposed Bangladesh Energy Transformation Policy 2024.
They also demanded developing an action plan to curb exploitative expenses, balance deficits, and protect consumer energy rights; and forming a search committee for BERC appointments and other placements based on stakeholder proposals.
The CAB also wanted the removal of senior cadre officers from the boards of directors and other key positions in companies under the energy sector, including Petrobangla, BPC, PDB, REB, SREDA, and other relevant entities.
They further demanded repealing of the "Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provisions) Act 2010" and prohibiting non-competitive investments and transactions under this law.
They also wanted the enforcement of the three petroleum product pricing regulations proposed by BERC in 2012, which cover products like petrol, diesel, furnace oil, and kerosene.
At the press conference, the issues brought up in the demands were further discussed by CAB's legal advisor Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, and Organisational Secretary Professor Dr Syed Mizanur Rahman (Raju).
