In Kishoreganj, the street vendors are doing business with illegal electricity connection with the help of influential circles. The gang is making lakhs of Tk per month through illegal connections. And because of this, the government is losing revenue.
Hundreds of shops have been built on both sides of the Narsunda River, in front of Municipal Children's Park and in Teripatti area, near the Gaurang Bazar Bridge and the bridge in the city. In these shops, electric lights are lit at dusk. These shops are open from 11 am to 12 am. Apart from this, many have occupied the road and set up shops on the footpath in front of the old police station. Locals said that the electricity connection of all these shops is completely illegal.
The investigation revealed that more than 50 shops are running on the power lines of the park in front of the Municipal Children's Park in Gauranga Bazar area. Those whose shops were evicted during the lake city in Narsunda river, have again connected illegal electricity to hundreds of floating shops on both sides of the Gauranga Bazar Bridge.
By connecting electricity to one shop and connecting to 50 to 60 shops in the vicinity, money is collected as desired. Even meters are mounted on transmitter pillars. Apart from this, the floating shopkeepers connected with influential quarters by paying 40 to 50 thousand taka at one time. Apart from this, he also paid 70 to 80 taka as rent per day.
It is known that some dishonest officials-employees of the power department along with the leaders-activists of the ruling party and some officials-employees of the municipality are directly involved in this trade. A 20 watt energy saving bulb costs 20 to 50 taka per day. That is 600-1500 taka per month. This extra money is going to the pockets of influential circles, electricity department and municipal-related dishonest officials-employees and local goons.
Some traders on the footpath, who did not want to be named, said that they have to pay Tk 500 to Tk 1,000 to get electricity connection. And you have to pay 20 to 50 taka per day.
A Power Development Board (PDB) official, who did not wish to be named, said there is a rule of one connection per meter. 50-60 people using electricity with one meter is not a rule.
Municipal Mayor Pervez Mia said, if the sidewalk traders are evicted in the morning, they sit again in the afternoon. Evacuation operations are ongoing. When asked how the floating traders use electricity from the municipal park connection, the mayor said, "We have leased the park, ask the lessee about it."
Attempts were made to contact the lessee to discuss the matter but he could not be reached.
When asked, PDB executive engineer Salah Uddin said, they are taking electricity from the valid connection of the municipal park. The municipality will understand it and the administration will understand it. Nothing is bypassed outside the meter.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad said, "We will coordinate with all departments to take measures regarding the footpath." And I was informed about the electricity issue through you, if it happens, I will take action.
