CAB leaders demand end to 'looting' in energy sector

Leaders of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) have called for an end to irregularities and "looting" in the energy sector, urging the government to reduce import dependency and enhance domestic capacity to tackle the ongoing crisis. They also criticised the electricity and gas crisis, as well as the decision to remove various medicines from the list of essential drugs.

The remarks came at a discussion meeting organised at the CAB office in Segunbagicha on Thursday, September 3, in protest against the power and gas shortages and the decision to revoke the list of essential drugs.

CAB President AHM Shafiquzzaman said while it may take time to normalise energy supply, there is no need for prolonged delay to stop theft and wastage in the sector. He said despite reduced supply due to load-shedding, consumer bills are not decreasing. The average electricity price has risen by about 20 percent, yet many consumers have seen their bills increase by more than 100 percent. He questioned how bills could rise abnormally despite reduced supply, suggesting that irregularities or plunder must be investigated.

Shafiquzzaman also questioned whether import dependency was being increased to favour certain individuals or groups. He said when direct procurement replaces open tenders during a crisis, transparency becomes questionable. He urged the government to stop theft and looting as its first task, alongside providing transparent information to the public about the situation. He also noted that over 400 industrial establishments and the garment sector are facing energy shortages, causing export orders to shift to other countries and putting the jobs of a large number of workers at risk.

The CAB president said the impact of fuel price hikes has also affected the transport sector, increasing transport costs for essential goods and causing an abnormal rise in prices of vegetables and other commodities. He also demanded effective measures to prevent system loss and theft of about 20 percent in the gas and power sectors. Criticising the policy change on medicines, he said Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry now exports to around 150 countries and meets 98 percent of domestic demand. However, removing many drugs from the essential medicines list could harm the general public and the industry, he said.

At the meeting, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Ruhin Hossain Prince, said bill collection should be suspended from consumers in areas where gas supply is not being provided. He informed that the Gas Development Fund had around Tk 5,000 crore a few years ago and may now exceed Tk 6,000 crore. He alleged that this money was used for LNG imports and pipeline construction instead of gas extraction. He claimed that while LNG imports cost about Tk 60,000 crore, adequate funds were not allocated for gas extraction.

Ruhin Hossain Prince said the energy crisis was created due to wrong policies and corruption, and demanded accountability for those involved in past energy policy-making. He also called upon the current government to take effective steps to address the power and gas shortages by prioritising public interest.

Others present at the meeting included CAB General Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, Treasurer Shawkat Ali Khan, Organising Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, Convener of Bangladesh General Citizens' Society Mohiuddin Ahmed, and CAB Adviser Khalilur Rahman.