Finally, traders from 1,200 shops in Karwan Bazar have regained their electricity connections. Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) restored the power on the condition that the traders pay their dues by June 15. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) sources informed the journalist that DPDC reconnected the power at Karwan Bazar on Tuesday at 8:00 pm. Previously, on June 1, DPDC had disconnected the electricity due to a year's worth of unpaid bills. The traders claim they have been paying their bills properly, but DNCC has not settled the outstanding amounts.
The electricity was cut off on the afternoon of June 1 because of arrears. DPDC reported arrears totaling Tk 3,97,35,733 for 12 months, calculated on an average basis rather than using a metre. The metre became obsolete in April 2023, so bills have been based on an average since then. The 12-month average bill before the metre was damaged was around Tk 18.75 lakh. Despite no change in load rate, the average bill from June to December last year was estimated at Tk 21.87 lakh, which is about Tk 3.12 lakh more per month.
DPDC has been requested to reconnect the electricity and correct the billing discrepancy.
DNCC promised to pay all dues, subject to collecting outstanding bills from traders, within the next two months. Sources said DNCC's letter to DPDC outlined the billing discrepancy, and DPDC is expected to provide an official explanation within a day or two.
Additionally, a letter has been sent to the Sonali Bank Karwan Bazar branch to facilitate the payment of outstanding bills from DNCC to the traders. The Karwan Bazar Shop Owners Association has also promised to pay all dues by June 15.
