Speakers at a roundtable in Dhaka on Saturday called for the immediate cancellation of prepaid electricity meter projects, saying the system has increased consumer hardship and created scope for irregularities.
They also demanded lower electricity prices, greater transparency in the power sector’s revenue and expenditure, publication of a white paper on corruption and irregularities, and the restoration of previously installed digital meters.
The roundtable titled “Cancellation of prepaid meters causing consumer hardship and exploitation, and four-point demands” was organised by the National Committee for Protection of Electricity Consumers at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club.
The event was chaired by Adv Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, convener of the National Committee for Protection of Electricity Consumers, and moderated by its member-secretary Adv Palash Kanti Nag.
Speaking at the discussion, former Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) vice-president Mahmudur Rahman Manna alleged that the government was increasing the prices of essential goods, fuel and electricity to meet a large budget deficit, placing an “unfair and unreasonable” burden on the public.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Qafiz Ratan said the government was repeatedly selling state-owned industries and other public assets while pursuing privatisation in the electricity sector.
He questioned whether privatisation and the introduction of modern technologies necessarily served the interests of consumers.
“Technology that exploits people is not what we want,” he said, calling for the immediate cancellation of prepaid meter projects in view of public suffering.
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz said modern technology alone could not guarantee public welfare.
He stressed the importance of examining who controls such technologies and whose interests they serve.
Dhaka University teacher Mosahhida Ritu called for a united movement against irregularities, corruption and mismanagement in the electricity sector.
“There is no alternative to struggle to ensure people’s right to electricity services,” she said.
Energy expert Shubho Kibria said a case related to alleged corruption in the prepaid meter project was pending before the Anti-Corruption Commission.
He said development plans would not benefit people unless corruption was curbed.
The speakers placed a four-point set of demands at the meeting. These include scrapping prepaid meters, returning the previous digital metering system, reducing electricity prices, and publishing a white paper on the income and expenditure of the electricity sector and alleged corruption.
They also demanded withdrawal of all “false” cases filed against leaders and activists involved in the prepaid meter movement, an end to attempts to transfer the electricity sector into private ownership, and effective government measures to ensure consumers’ rights.