LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW-LOOK POWER AND ENERGY POLICY

For years energy experts had urged the now-ousted government of Sheikh Hasina to fix some grave wrongs committed in the power and energy sector. They were particularly critical of a black law passed in 2010 for quick power and energy generation bypassing any tenders.

- Farid Hossain

The Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 opened the floodgates of malpractices as any action taken under this law could not be challenged in any court. What a free hand given to the producers and the officials who would pave their way. The second most criticized step of the immediate past government was the law extending the payment of capacity charges even when the private power plants remain idle. This obvious privilege was given to some chosen companies who had close ties with the then Awami League government. When the AL-dominated parliament continued to extend the taxpayers’ money-draining facilities people from all sections of the society were dumbfounded. How could a government with any feeling for the people and concern about the country’s economy could do it? Third, the Hasina government amended the BERC (Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission) Act 2003 to axe its power to hold public hearings before the authorities raise power and energy prices. The power to do so was taken away from the BERC to be vested with the government which can increase the prices whenever it thinks so wit