Outreach: Shirajganj, November 2009

This was BERC's second outreach program with rural consumers on "Electricity Regulation and Consumers Right". The purpose of this program was to enhance consciousness regarding the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. This is the first ever energy regulatory consumer seminar in Shirajgonj and as such, lesson learning for both the regulators and the consumers.

ICEA local partner LawDev (Bangladesh) facilitated this BERC outreach with contribution from Bhokta Moncho, Shirajgonj District Committee. The BERC outreach event took place at Tarash in Shirajgonj on 14 November 2009. Representatives from a range of organizations e.g. BERC members, LawDev (Bangladesh) consumer advocates, General Manager and staff of Shirajgonj PBS, Union Parishad elected Chairpersons and members, legal professionals, local press club, CAB leaders, teachers, students, farmers, and other rural consumers.

Md. Karim Baksh (President, Bhokta Moncho, Shirajgonj District Committee) delivered the welcome speech, and thereafter the host called upon the local consumers, one by one, to address their needs and demands. Issues raised by the consumers were mainly in the area of PBS system corruption, meter reading and tampering problems, unavailability cf 15KB transformer, absence of electricity in hospitals, unrealistic billing, inappropriate consumer representation in PBS decision making, un-approachability of PBS management, consumer discrimination, below standard consumer service. There was also one consumer who denied that there was ever any problem faced by him in dealing with the PBS system - however, he was openly criticized by the audience for making such a comment.

Mr. Shahiduzzaman, GM of Shirajgonj PBS, in his address provided some background information and reasoning regarding the issues raised by the audience. He mentioned that PBS is not responsible for electricity generation; rather its main task is only to distribute the portion of electricity allocated to them. Thus, according to him, there is no point in blaming PBS for load shedding which has been occurring due to lack of electricity generation. He addressed each and every issue raised by the speakers and provided his views and comments on the same.
Thereafter, the Executive Director of the LawDev (Bangladesh), Dr. Tureen Afroz delivered her speech. She had appreciated the efforts put in by all the stakeholders to create a dialogue to resolve the electricity service problem. She also emphasized that it is better to resolve problems at local level rather than letting it become so big that it creates difficulties for all the parties. She requested the PBS management to open their door for consumer consultation and help on a regular basis. In that regard, a monthly open .meeting could do, she emphasized.

The meeting concluded with the brief opinion from the BERC members, where they conveyed their expectations from this program in the coming times. Member Emdadul Haque concurred with Dr. Afroz that local level utility-customer cooperation is must for a sustainable energy sector. He shared his recent experience of USAID sponsored study tour where he observed the benefit of such cooperation. Member Salahud Din Ahmed reinforced the need of energy sector transparency and the role that is played by BERC. Both the members expressed their commitment to assist the consumers on behalf of BERC, as and when necessary.'

It may be concluded that this outreach program shaded a light of hope on the local people.