The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reports have it that uncertainty looms large over the timely completion of eight on-going projects under the Rural Electrification Board (REB) allegedly due to lack of government initiatives. If the projects are not implemented within the stipulated time frame, the donors are likely to withdraw the fund they provided for the same. These projects include intensification and expansion of a number of Palli Bidhyut Samitis (PBS), construction of PBS sub-stations, system loss reduction and giving connection to 10 lakh new consumers. Out of the estimated cost of Tk 670 crore, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Department For International Development contributed Tk 390 crore reportedly on condition that at least six of those projects would have to be completed within the current fiscal year. But it is gathered from the media that the concerned ministry is yet to complete formalities to carry on the projects. The purchase department of REB cannot, therefore, buy necessary machinery for lack of green signal from higher authority.

The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Programme was adopted in 1977 with the objective of electrifying rural Bangladesh. The purpose of the programme has been to use electricity for improving agricultural production aimed at employment generation, poverty alleviation and improving standard of life. RE programme has set the target of bringing all the villages of the country under electrification within 2020. But their real performance curb is not that high as it was expected.

Due to shortage of power generation, REB can at the present time supply less than 1,000-megawatt electricity against the peak hour demand of about 2000 mw. Now, if the above projects are not completed, its implications on the agricultural economy will simply be disastrous at a time when the country is in dire need of increasing agricultural production. The authority should, therefore, take quick decisions to complete the projects on time.

Ariful Huq

Dhaka