DPDC starts journey July 1

Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), a newly created entity in the power sector, will start its journey on July 1 taking over the entire operation of the existing Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desa) on June 30.
Official sources said the DPDC will work as the responsible organisation for electricity distribution in the areas where Desa is now operating.
The DPDC's emergence from July 1 as a new entity in the power sector was approved by the Council of Advisers of the caretaker government on Sunday.
In the process, Desa, an 18-year-old power distribution outfit for the capital and its adjoining areas, will be dissolved.
The DPDC was created in 2005 during the previous BNP-led alliance government as a public limited company (PLC) to be operated as an independent corporate body in line with the power sector reform programme.
After success of the Dhaka Electric Supply Company (Desco), the government created the DPDC replacing the Desa, which has turned out to be an ailing organisation in the public sector due to its inefficiency.
But the DPDC could not come into operation because of opposition from the trade unions and pending cases. However, the DPDC's way was cleared by the court as it ruled out the cases filed by some Desa officials.
The DPDC is now moving fast with the court verdict to appoint its staff and start its function by taking over Desa's entire distribution assets.
DPDC Managing Director Ataul Masud told UNB that the government has approved an organogram of 2,896 manpower for his organisation against Desa's about 3,063 staff.
He said the DPDC is absorbing the efficient staff from Desa while some fresh blood will also be appointed to run the organisation with a new corporate culture.
However, the DPDC will initially not take over the liabilities of Desa, which will be not less than Tk 8,000 crore.
A committee is now working to determine the assets and liabilities of Desa. On completion of the task, the government will decide the liability issue.
Desa is blamed for poor performance and corruption as its system loss has been the highest among the power sector entities.
Sources said a meeting was held on Sunday at the Power Ministry to review the DPDC's preparations to take over charge from Desa.