Several government, semi-government and non-government bodies owe around Tk 13,000 crore to the power, energy and mineral resources ministry in electricity and gas bills, official said.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said total outstanding electricity and gas bill as now is Taka 12,662 crore. Of it, Taka 6,662 crore is due for electricity and Taka 6,000 crore for gas bill.
He said, “If we take necessary actions at least one thousand industries will be closed. However, it’s not our target to shut the industry. Sheikh Hasina’s government is people friendly. So, I hope all defaulters will pay their bill immediately.”
“A number of steps have been taken, including severing electricity connections and conducting drives through formation of taskforces, taking legal action against defaulters, holding intra-ministerial meetings, to realise the arrears. Besides, pre-paid meter and SMS bill payment systems have also been introduced,” he added.
Officials said the major bill defaulters are ministries, semi government organizations and big industrialists. The arrears by government, semi-government and non-government institutions are Tk 763 crore while private sector owes Tk 5,476 crore to the ministry.
An official said the distribution companies cannot achieve their target to collect the long-standing arrears from different organizations.
Government organizations are delaying more in paying electricity bills compared to private companies. Even though the power and energy division has repeatedly sent letters to different ministries, it is uncertain whether these arrears will be realised at all.
However, energy experts said the distribution company is stricter to collect the bills from general users. On the other hand, it’s just opposite role for public organizations, which is injustice and also punitive offense.
Energy expert professor Dr Samsul Alam said, “Those who do not pay bills should be brought under the law. Nobody or no organization is above the law.”
People concerned said the huge amount of electricity and gas bills is the major obstruction to rendering the best service of power and energy sector.
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