Prosecute 'energy criminals' for looting state wealth through irrational deals: CAB
CAB specifically named former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-state minister Nasrul Hamid, ex-adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, and former power secretaries as the main energy criminals
The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has demanded that the interim government take steps to prosecute "energy criminals" for looting state wealth from 2009 to 2024 through various irrational deals with both local and international companies.
Dr M Shamsul Alam, an adviser to CAB, made this demand during a "Dialogue with Media on Reforms in the Energy Sector: Perspectives of CAB-Proposed Bangladesh Energy Transformation Policy 2024" held at Bishwa Shahitya Kendra in the city today (5 December).
He said trial of these energy criminals should be conducted under the Consumers Protection Act and BERC Act 2003.
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CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiya, Organising Secretary Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman Razu, and Research Coordinator Subho Kibria also addressed the event.
Dr Shamsul Alam said interim government must investigate and determine the extent of wealth looted from different segments of the power sector, including imports, generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as the actual spending in the sector.
"The CAB wants to establish the consumers' right to access energy and ensure energy security," he said, adding that the energy sector should be viewed as a service sector rather than a commercial one.
The CAB adviser suggested that the prices of all energy products should be set through public hearings, as stipulated in the BERC Act.
He also called for specific provisions in the BERC Act to govern appointments to top positions and for reforms in the Act itself.
CAB specifically named former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-state minister Nasrul Hamid, ex-adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, and former power secretaries Abul Kalam Azad, Monwar Islam, and Dr Ahmed Kaikaus as the main energy criminals.
During the discussion, reporters in the energy sector emphasised that the interim government should focus on reforms in the energy sector to prevent vested interest groups from exploiting political influence.
Although the government is prioritising renewable energy, there is no specific, time-bound plan or roadmap to implement such projects, they said.
They also advised CAB to engage with political parties to understand their plans and encourage them to include energy-related issues, especially energy transition, in their election manifestos.
