‘Ensure uninterrupted power supply first’
Speakers at a views-exchange with the Northern Electricity Supply Company (Nesco) officials yesterday demanded suspension of the government project for installing "smart" prepaid meters in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.
They alleged that Nesco, an enterprise of Power Development Board (PDB), was hastening the project and forcing it upon people.
Speakers pointed out that Nesco appeared indifferent to corruptions, faulty power distribution system, inability to supply uninterrupted and quality power and upgrading the wires that remain clogged in most places, and should address those first.
They also said Nesco should explain to people why this new system is beneficial and help them learn how to use it.
Nesco organised the three-hour meeting at its Rajshahi headquarters.
Leaders of different political parties, social organisations, consumers, lawyers, freedom fighters, and journalists took part in it, chaired by Nesco managing director Zakiul Islam.
The meeting was called after locals obstructed Nesco employees from installing new meters at several places in the city in last few weeks.
Nesco took up the Tk 418 crore project in July 2018 for installing pre-paid meters to some five lakh subscribers in six districts of Rajshahi division -- Rajshahi, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Bogura, Pabna and Sirajganj.
The installation was scheduled to end by October last year, but the work got stalled due to the pandemic, said Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, the project director.
In January, Nesco managed to install some 4,200 new meters, and began witnessing unrest among people.
"We have to complete the installation by June," said the project director.
In June, Nesco is going to launch another Tk 1,200 crore project for installing 15 lakh pre-paid meters in Naogaon and Joypurhat districts of Rajshahi division and eight districts of Rangpur division, he added.
Nesco MD Zakiul Islam said the government took up the project to reduce system loss, electricity theft and increase revenue collection.
However, Golam Mostafa Mamun, general secretary of Rajshahi chapter of Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said, "Consumers are not eager to accept this new system as they don't have faith in Nesco operations."
He said Nesco highlighted in its campaigns that subscribers would get 1 percent rebate in power bills, but it mentioned nowhere that it would cut over Tk 80 on a recharge of Tk 1,000 on power bills.
Besides, Mamun said, Nesco did not inform people that subscribers have to spend Tk 3,000 if the pre-paid meters got locked for any reason and Tk 16,000 for a replacement.
"Corruption allegations are rampant against Nesco officials. Without addressing those first, why Nesco is forcing this new system on people?" he asked.
Liakat Ali, editor of local daily Sonali Sangbad, said, "We aren't getting uninterrupted power supply… Nesco should ensure that first."
Jamaat Khan, general secretary of Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad, alleged that Nesco employees often misbehave with subscribers and install the new meters without informing them.
He also alleged that Nesco officials were harassing leaders of different social organisations when they protested against it.
Worker Party's Rajshahi city unit general secretary Debashish Pramanik said Nesco officials should install the new meters at their residences and government offices first and share their experiences.
Abdul Mannan, a freedom fighter, said many subscribers do not even understand the operation of these new meters.
Sharing user-experience, Selina Parvin, a consumer, said many pre-paid meter users alleged that their power bills went up after they starting using the new system.
The Nesco MD or other officials did not answer the speakers' queries on power supply, faulty distribution and corruption allegations.
Without elaborating, he said they would try to avert any situation that creates unrest among people. He, however, said they were not imposing the new system on people.
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