The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has established a special committee to address the escalating conflict between the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) and the Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS).
This move follows a major power supply disruption in 60 out of 80 PBS offices, caused by aggrieved officers and employees of the Samity on October 17, 2024.
A notice issued by Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, General Secretary of CAB, stated that the newly formed committee aims to mediate and resolve the conflict, which has severely impacted consumers, particularly those reliant on street lighting and essential services. The five-member committee is led by Professor M. Shamsul Alam, President of the National Committee for Redressal of Consumer Grievances, CAB, who will serve as the convener.
Other members include Professor Badrul Imam and Professor MM Akash, both retired professors from the University of Dhaka, Professor Sharmind Neelomi from Jahangirnagar University, and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, a Supreme Court advocate and CAB’s legal adviser. They have been tasked with investigating the root causes of the conflict and offering solutions, with a report expected within 10 working days.
Root of the Conflict: PBS Employees’ Grievances
The current dispute has been brewing since January 2024, fueled by long-standing grievances of PBS employees regarding exploitation, harassment, and poor working conditions.
Allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and procurement of substandard electrical goods by BREB have worsened the situation. PBS employees have consistently pointed out that REB’s financial irregularities and failure to maintain accountability with customers have strained the relationship between the association and the public, tarnishing PBS’s reputation.
On October 17, 2024, these frustrations reached a boiling point when 20 PBS officers were abruptly dismissed by REB, triggering power disruptions in various regions.
This came despite PBS employees maintaining essential services without engaging in any ongoing protests.
In addition, REB filed cases against 10 other employees, which led to further outrage among the PBS workforce. In response, the Rural Electricity Discrimination Movement, formed by PBS employees, issued a 24-hour ultimatum, threatening a “Complete Shutdown” unless REB ceased its retaliatory actions, dropped the false charges, and reinstated the dismissed officers.
Programme Withdrawal Amid Ongoing Retaliation
Despite assurances from Mahfuz Alam, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, that their demands would be addressed through dialogue, the situation worsened. The employees withdrew their protest, only to face further dismissals and arrests.
Four more PBS officers were dismissed overnight, and misinformation from REB reportedly led to the arrest of additional PBS staff by law enforcement.
PBS employees, who now face ongoing threats of dismissal, beatings, and legal action, are calling for immediate government intervention.
An atmosphere of fear has engulfed the PBS workforce, with many employees reluctant to report to work for fear of further harassment. This precarious situation threatens the stability of the power supply nationwide.
CAB’s Role in Mediating the Conflict
CAB’s initiative to form a citizens’ committee is seen as a critical step in mediating the crisis. The committee will be tasked with delving into the complaints of exploitation and harassment by PBS employees and addressing the public’s concerns over potential long-term power outages.
The employees have been appealing for protection and a resolution to the crisis, urging the government to take action to prevent further unrest.
The ongoing conflict between BREB and PBS not only endangers the continuous supply of electricity to millions of consumers but also raises questions about governance and accountability in the rural electrification sector. CAB’s intervention, along with government efforts, will be pivotal in resolving this crisis. Without such intervention, PBS officials have warned that future power supply disruptions are inevitable.
The 45,000 officers and employees of PBS are now seeking urgent relief from the current state of insecurity, asserting that the PBS cannot be held responsible for further disruptions if the crisis is not addressed swiftly.
