52pc consumers apply for electricity connection through middlemen: survey

Some 52 per cent of consumers apply for electricity connection through middlemen without going directly to the electricity office, according to a new survey.

The Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC), an advisory body of the government under the Economic Relations Division of the finance ministry, conducted the survey.

The draft report of the "Consumer Satisfaction Survey" was released at a virtual event today, where Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, was present.

"It's necessary to find out why 52 per cent of consumers have to apply for electricity connection through middlemen," said Hamid.

Initiatives should be taken to inform the customers about the services provided by the power distribution companies and where the services are available or how much fees have to be paid for the service, he said.

The survey, where 700 subscribers from Sadar upazila of Narayanganj and 700 subscribers of Burichang upazila of Comilla took part, was conducted on four issues—electricity connection, complaint service, billing and metering.