The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Economists, engineers and politicians at a roundtable discussion yesterday explained the crisis in the power sector as a deliberate creation of the past governments which, being steeped in corruption, served the interest of foreign companies.

They said corruption in the power sector was massive. World Bank and IMF suggestions dominated the Government policy. The Power Development Board (PDB) was broken into pieces according to suggestions of the WB.

Foreign companies were entitled to generate power under unequal treaties. Trade Unions, which opposed these moves, were blamed for disturbing 'reform' initiatives. They said the whole sector was deliberately made inefficient to establish arguments for privatisation. Development and self-sufficiency became a far-reaching goal, and ultimately dependence on foreigners increased. According to government policy, no decision in the power sector could be taken without apprising the Prime Minister. So, all the corruption in the sector happened within her knowledge, they said.

National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port organised the roundtable discussion on "Endangered Power Sector and Our National Interest" at the National Press Club chaired by its convenor Engineer Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah Sikhder.

The speakers observed that hectic move to increase power generation is creating more opportunities for corruption. Production cost and price of power is increasing beyond the ability of low income people.

TIB Chairman Prof Muzaffer Ahmed said the PDB did not prepare the balance sheet and there was no statistics on costing, accounting and investment there. He said corruption in Rural Electrification Board (REB) is now much more.

He suggested to handle the power sector under a multidisciplinary management system.

Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury in his deliberation blamed the ruling class for massive corruption and plundering from the power sector. He stressed on establishing of "Government of the people's authority snatching power from the ruling class to protect national assets.

Awami League Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury criticised the Caretaker Government for its failure in various sectors. "You are criticising the politicians. But what are you doing? Who ruled the country for 21 years? Let them be accountable for their deeds," she said.

Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon said power crisis is a national crisis and a national consensus is necessary to tackle it.

Justice (Rtd) Golam Rabbani suggested amendment to the penal code under which petty thieves are punished but big wigs go unpunished despite proven charges of massive corruption.

Economists Dr Atiur Rahman, Abu Ahmed, Anu Muhammad and M M Akash stressed on policy-sovereignty of the state to protect and upgrade national assets.

Prof M Shamsul Alam, director of the Institute of Energy Technology at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, presented keynote speech at the roundtable.

BNP standing committee member Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman, CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim, JSD leader Hasanul Haq Inu, Jatiya Party leadr GM Kader, former Adviser to the caretaker Government Amanul Islam Chowdhury, former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank Khondokar Ibrahim Khaled, Prof AAMS Arefin Siddiqui, Awami League leader Col (Rtd) Faruk Khan, BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed, Coordinator of the Left Democratic Alliance Saiful Islam and Moshrefa Mishu among others, spoke in the function.