The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Electricity supply in different upazila towns and rural areas seriously hampering due to random stealing of transformers. Gangs in collusion with the employees of Palli Biddut Samity (Rural Electrification Board) blamed for the crime.

In last 16 months, 304 transformers valued more than one crore taka have been stolen in 10 upazilas of Barisal district. REB and their customers have to share the cost of replacement of these stolen transformers.

REB sources said 68 transformers in Sadar,30 in Babuganj,16 in Banaripara, 37 in Uzirpur,5 in Gournadi, 8 in Agoiljhara,55 in Bakerganj,19 in Hizla,25 in Muladi and 41 in Mehendiganj upazilas have been stolen in this period.

These transformers have capacities of 5 KV, 10 KV, 15 KV and 25 KV and each of 5 KV transformer valued more than 20 thousand taka, 10 KV valued more than 26 thousand taka, 15 KV valued more than 28 thousand taka, 25 KV valued more than 54 thousand taka.

REB sources said since last two years rate of stealing transformers have been increased and almost every day report of stealing transformer reaching in REB office.

Miscreants stole transformers by preserving the outer structure of the transformer intact and from outside view, it could not be understandable that original parts, oil and valuable super enamel wires have been stolen, REB officials said.

In most cases fact of stealing transformers only could be revealed after checking on receiving allegations of disruption of electricity supply from the customers, they explained.

As per contact between the customers and REB both side have to share fifty-fifty of total costing of purchasing and replacement of the stolen transformers and until the share-amount collected from the customers deposited, REB does not take any initiative to restore electricity supply in the affected region.

On other hand REB customers alleged that without in collusion and technical support from the REB employees, transformers could not be stolen during live electricity supply and imposing replacement cost on the customers is illegal extra burden.

Most of REB customers are not financially solvent to bear the sharing cost of replacement of stolen transformers and due to this electricity supply in the affected areas remained disrupted for month after months.

Engineer Abdul Mannan, general manager of Palli Biddut Samity (PBS)-1 and Abu Raihan, assistant general manager of PBS-2, said that thieves could easily disconnect electricity supply by cutting wire and removing coil of the transformer and for this no technical support from REB is needed for them.