All the divisional headquarters would have office of the Chief Electric Inspector (CEI), under ministry of power, energy and mineral resources, to facilitate and improve services to public.
Currently, only seven inspectors operating from the capital perform the job of inspecting and giving approval of safety functioning of substations, electrical connection to new buildings, issuing licenses to electrical contractor, engineer, and technicians and so on for the entire country.
The new offices in the divisional headquarters would greatly remove backlog in inspection of at least 200 monthly inspection across the country while it would also help cut travel cost of those contractor, engineer and technicians who used to travel to the capital for administrative works.
The first office of CEI is likely to start functioning in Chattogram by next year while the rest are expected to follow in phases by 2023, a top official said. The organisation is an important government agency of the power sector. It is the only non-tax revenue earning office of the Power Division.
The office of the CEI usually inspects and approves electrical safety issues in any establishment like the substations (high and medium voltage) and new buildings so that the power connections are safe for use.
In addition, they also issue licenses to contractors supervising electrical connections in the field level, validate competency of supervisors and issues certificates and technical permits through examinations by Electrical Licensing Board.
Abul Khair Md Akkas Ali, Chief Electric Inspector of the office told Bangladesh Post, “Every people will come under 100 percent electrification facility by ‘Mujib Barsho’ due to the initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As a result, the electricity demand will greatly increase.”
“ We have also taken initiatives to set up offices in the divisional towns in phases to deliver services to the doorsteps of the people. After opening of the divisional office, the harassment of people will be reduced, time and money will be saved as well.”
“Currently, there is only one office in the whole country in the capital, so everyone has to come to Dhaka. We have to go to for inspection in different areas from Dhaka. Such difficulties are taking more time and costing more money.”
He said, “For example, the renewal fee of a technician's license is only taka 100. Yet, he has to spend about Tk 2000-3000 just to travel and stay in the capital for the purpose.”
“These problems will be removed if the divisional office is opened. And then people will get better and more efficient services,” he added.
Atowar Rahman, Secretary, Electricity Licensing Board at Office of the chief electric inspector, told Bangladesh Post “According to our plan we are expected to set up our Chattogram office by next year. We have already submitted a proposal to the power division.”
He said, “We have already got approval by Ministry of Public Administration to recruit 79 people for the divisional offices. The proposal is now in the cabinet division, waiting for final approval. After getting the final approval, the number of inspector will stood 45.”
