Dhaka: We have faced the previous government on the streets, we want to be with the current government, side by side, and walk behind it. But some activities of the government have hurt us especially, said CAB's energy adviser Dr. Shamsul Alam.
He made the comments at a dialogue with the media on energy sector reform organized by CAB at the Biswa Sahitya Kendra on Thursday (December 5).
Shamsul Alam said, this government (interim government) could have said on the first day of coming, it can still say, it should have said - the electricity and energy sectors will not do business. This sector will be a service sector. I am disappointed that the government has not announced it, I doubt whether they will say it until the last day.
He said, our main demand is that electricity and energy should be declared as a service sector. Profit cannot be made here. Electricity should be provided on the basis of cost price (neither profit nor loss). There is no opportunity for business and profit. Companies are making huge profits, they are taking profit bonuses, and the burden is being placed on the shoulders of consumers.
He said, some of the government's actions have terrified us. Especially, we are disappointed with the steps taken regarding the Indemnity Act (Special Provisions Act) and the BERC Act. The gazette of the Indemnity Act states, "A contract entered into under the said Act or any action taken under a contract entered into immediately before the repeal of the said Act shall be deemed to have been validly entered into or taken." Any ongoing activity under a contract entered into under the said Act shall continue or be completed as if the said Act had not been repealed." With this condition, the continuity of the previous government has been maintained.
He said, "For the past 15 years, we have been fighting thieves, and the faces of bureaucrats who have worked in important positions and worked in the interests of businessmen are being seen again. This shows the continuity of the previous government. Why will the ministry still determine the price of fuel oil? Why is it not left in the hands of BERC?
He said, our energy shortage is prevailing, production is at risk. There is inflation, if prices are increased, it can increase further. Our problem is that a looting group has been formed, they are looting. The main obstacle to preventing this looting was the government. Its leader has fled. Now we can hope for justice, but in some cases, the fear is increasing.
The people's demand from the current government is that the actual cost and the amount of looting costs in the import, production, circulation, transportation and distribution of electricity and energy from 2009 to 2024 must be determined immediately. Establishing the right of consumers to receive electricity and energy services at looting-free costs with the aim of preserving national energy security by ensuring energy justice.
Repeal of sections 2(2)(a) and (b) of the Electricity and Energy Rapid Supply Enhancement (Special Provisions) Act (Repeal) Ordinance 2024, determination of the cost and price of all stages of all energy including petroleum products by BERC on the basis of public hearing, publication in the Gazette immediately without any changes of the 3 regulations related to the determination of the price of petroleum products, which have been withheld since 2012, (d) formulation of one or more regulations for the appointment of the Chairman, Members of BERC and the Chairman, Members and top positions of government companies and organizations in the manner prescribed by the regulations, reform of the BERC Act and (e) along with the existing Consumer Rights Protection Act 2008 and the BERC Act 2003, energy criminals should be tried. Professor Dr. Tanzimuddin Khan said, an oligarch class has been created by the government, bureaucracy and businessmen. The needs of the state have not been given importance there, projects have been taken where there is an opportunity for money laundering. The issue of sustainable development has been neglected.
Calling for the publication of the agreements signed during the Awami League government, he said, "Make the agreements public, then let the people see what they have done."
Among the journalists participating in the discussion was Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh Chairman Shamim Jahangir, Executive Director Serajul Islam Siraj (Barta24.com), Shahnaz Begum (Observer), Sadrul Hasan (UNB), Mohiuddin Niloy (Prothom Alo), Mujahirul Haque Rumen (Ekattor TV), Rishan Nasrullah (Banglavision), MA Noman (NTV Online).
Moderated by Shuvo Kibria, CAB General Secretary Adv. Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan spoke among others.