Titas gas suffers avoidable loss

Titas gas is faced with significant pilferage of gas in the districts of Narayanganj and Munshiganj as reported in a prominent Bangla daily. A field level study carried out for Titas Gas has revealed that the national exchequer is deprived of nearly Tk1billion per year for a variety of reasons including meter tampering and faulty meters, seepage of gas through faulty gas pipes and illegal connections. While the first two causes can be readily addressed, the third, i.e. illegal connections is another matter altogether. Past drives by Titas Gas to cut illegal lines in Narayanganj area have failed miserably primarily due to stiff resistance of people enjoying such connections. We were informed in an earlier report that there are thousands of such connections, primarily at the household level and the racket in such business feeds on support allegedly from ruling party men.

It is a pressing matter of national importance and these irregularities require to be dealt with sternly. The country as a whole has been suffering from acute shortage of precious natural gas for years now. While legitimate business sectors and the formal housing sector have been deprived of gas, we simply cannot allow vested interests to profit at the expense of the greater economy. Titas Gas needs to correct faulty meters so that bills are collected properly and the waste due to dilapidated gas-carrying pipes curbed. Failure to eradicate illegal gas connections is indicative of a governance failure that is not beyond redemption with sincere efforts. Finally, the people involved should be taken to task.