JS passes Power Bill
Maximum 10 years' jail for act of sabotage at power installations
Parliament last night passed the Power Bill, 2018, keeping the provision for a maximum punishment of 10 years' jail and Tk 10 crore fine or both for carrying out any act of sabotage at any electricity infrastructure or installation.
State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid had placed the bill in the House on November 14 last year. The bill was passed by a voice vote.
A provision of the bill allows the government to introduce an independent system operator (ISO) to operate the country's power system in a coordinated way as well as to ensure a better load management.
According to another provision of the law, an accused will face a minimum seven years' jail for destroying or damaging power infrastructure and establishments like power stations, sub-stations, electricity lines, poles and equipment.
Under the new law, any employee concerned violating its rules like providing illegal electricity connection, doing any faulty works and supplying electricity outside the area of the authorities' jurisdiction will face a maximum one year's jail or a fine of Tk 1 lakh or both.
The punishment for pilferage of electricity by an individual will be a maximum three years' jail, or double of the price of the stolen electricity or Tk 50,000 or both.
For an industry, the punishment for the same offences will be a maximum three years' jail, or a fine double the price of the stolen electricity or a fine of Tk 5 lakh or both.
The punishment for wasting energy with an ulterior motive will be a maximum three years' jail or a fine of Tk 5 lakh or both.
Besides, a maximum three years' imprisonment or a fine of Tk 5 lakh or both will be imposed on any person using any machine, device or artificial system to illegally connect to an electricity supply line.
The new law stipulates a maximum five years' jail along with a fine of maximum Tk 5 lakh for pilferage, removal and destruction of electrical equipment.
The new law will replace the Electricity Act of 1910 and bar the PDB, Desco and Desa from setting up new electricity lines or conducting any official work under their jurisdiction without informing the higher authorities concerned.