Committee formed to review deals inked under 'controversial' law

The interim government on Thursday constituted a five-member national committee to review the deals inked under the 'controversial' Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 (Amended 2021).

Retired Judge of High Court Division Moinul Islam Chowdhury will head the committee formed pursuant to an order of the President of Bangladesh, according to a circular issued by the Power Division on Thursday.

Other members of the committee are Professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury of the Electrical and Electronics Department at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), fellow chartered accountant (FCA) and former chief executive officer of KPMG Bangladesh, former lead economist of the World Bank Dr Zahid Hossain and Professor Moshtaq Hoissain Khan of the Faculty of Law & Social Science, University of London.

As per the terms of reference, the committee will scrutinise whether the government interests were protected in the deals already inked under the special act.

It will be able to collect information from any sources deemed necessary, and will have the authority to call any individuals or institutions for hearing. The committee will place recommendations on the next course of actions.

The Ministry of power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) will provide secretarial services and extend necessary support to the committee.

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