REB's reluctant attitude makes it vulnerable

Addressing a meeting yesterday, they also opposed the recent government circular which said no fee will be imposed on the consumers in cases of stealing electric wires and transformers.

Held at REB office in the city, the meeting was attended by the chairmen and general managers of 70 samities from across the country to exchange views on the impact of the government circular issued on April 23 in the wake of Kansat agitation.

Through this circular, the government withdrew meter fare and re-fixed the lowest charge for electricity connections at Tk 78.

The chairmen said in most cases REB imposes decisions that often do not reflect the opinions of the samity, while the samity officials neglect the requirements of the consumers to seek bribes from them.

Asadul Biswas, chairman of Chuadanga-Meherpur PBS, said time has come to investigate why the consumers have taken a stand against the samity and do not pay bills.

He said the rural electrification systems should be freed from the clutches of politics in a bid to ensure smooth supply of electricity to rural people.

Abdur Rashid, chairman of Manikganj PBS, said neither the REB officials nor the general manager of the samity paid any heed to the needs of the consumers even after making calls with the board chairman.

"The general manager could not secure an approval from the REB in giving connections as he failed to pay them bribe," he alleged.

Manikganj will be another Kansat if the demand of the consumers for electricity is not met within a month, he cautioned.

State Minister for Power Iqbal Hasan Mahmood assured him of forming a ministerial committee to investigate the matter in Manikganj PBS.

Chapainawabganj PBS Chairman Monirul Islam identified lack of coordination between the REB and the concerned PBS that led to Kansat killings saying that if the issues of meter rents and load shedding were explained to the locals, 21 people would have not been killed.

Majority of the PBS chairmen expressed concern over the existence of the PBS if the consumers are not made liable for stealing electric wires and transformers.

Shamsul Haque Bokul of Naogaon PBS questioned who will replace the stolen transformers?

"The rate of stealing transformers will be increased under the new rule," he said.

Azizur Rahman, chairman of Faridpur PBS, suggested imposition of at least 25 percent penalties on the consumers for stealing transformers.