Outreach: Khulna, March 2010

This BERC outreach endeavor was possible with the assistance of ICEA partner LawDev (Bangladesh) through grassroots NGO Shova, Khulna - an organization working in the Khulna rural belt on human rights protection issues. The outreach event took place at the Mohammadnagar Primary School at Batiyaghata on 19 March 2010. Representatives from a range of organizations e.g. consumer advocates, energy utility general managers and other management employees of the entire Khulna Division, local Union Parishad elected Chairpersons and members, legal professionals, teachers, students, farmers, consumer representatives from Bhokta Moncho and other rural consumers attended the meeting.

The meeting began with a keynote paper, presented by Mr. Parvez. In his keynote paper, Mr. Parvez highlighted the current electricity crisis of the region. He further highlighted the sufferings of consumers at the hand of the utility service providers. He requested the concerned authorities to find a permanent solution to the current electricity crisis.

Thereafter, one by one, the common consumers shared their own experience and sufferings. They complained that they all suffer from inadequate and irregular power supply. Issues were raised regarding corruption by PBS management authority, lack of consumer representation, undue lengthy application procedure, discrimination in providing electricity in mosques, temples and at religious programs, unscheduled loadshedding as barrier to proper education and irrigation system, unrealistic electricity bills, illegal monitory exchange (bribes) while providing electricity connections, selling pillars, damage of machines for low voltage, and ignoring the problems of the ultra-poor.
The General Manager of the local PBS also addressed the audience. He tried to rebut most of the complaints (specific and general) raised by the consumers. According to him, the PBSs are doing their best. He urged the consumers to appreciate the fact that there is supply crisis in the electricity sector. As PBSs are distribution cooperative, they cannot do much if there is a shortfall in the supply. The GM denied the allegation that there is misconduct done by the PBS management. However, he promised that he would take serious any complaints lodged against any member of the PBS management.

In her address, Executive Director of the LawDev (Bangladesh), Dr. Tureen Afroz explained the need for BERC members to reach out to the people and appreciated the efforts taken so far. She urged the consumers to be in continuous guard of their rights and duties as citizens of this country.

The session concluded with the speech from BERC members, Md. Emdadul Haque and Mr. Salahud Din Ahmed. Member Emdadul Haque emphasized: (1) there is no quick solution to the electricity excess demand problem; (2) energy audit is must for the transparency improvement of the energy sector; (3) ADR for consumer disputes is a better alternative; (4) BERCs role in solving customer disputes, if not solved at industry level; and (5) the need to consider alternative renewable energy sources in rural Bangladesh. Member Salahud Din Ahmed commented: (1) collaboration between consumers, regulators and utilities is a must to build a strong Bangladesh and to meet the need of the time.