The youth wing of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has unveiled a 13-point charter of demands aimed at overhauling governance and transparency in the country's power and energy sector.
At a roundtable on Tuesday, participants called for a fundamental shift in policy, treating electricity and primary energy as essential public services rather than profit-driven commodities, amid growing concerns over corruption, inefficiency and sustainability.
The Youth Council of the CAB also proposed a 5.0-percent annual reduction in fossil fuel imports and a 15-percent increase in solar power generation over the next five years.
The demands were presented at a roundtable titled "Energy Sector Reforms and CAB's 13-Point Demands" at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the city.
Organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), the event brought together energy experts, politicians and civil society representatives to address prevailing challenges in the sector.
Other key demands include the immediate repeal of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010 and the cancellation of all contracts signed under its indemnity provisions.
They also called for prosecuting individuals involved in corruption and criminal activities in the energy sector, labelling them as "energy criminals".
The CAB youth wing further urged the government to halt coal-based power expansion, recover financial losses from those involved in sector-wide corruption, and refrain from signing the international Energy Charter Treaty in order to safeguard national interests.
Former interim government adviser Farida Akhter, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, noted economist Anu Muhammad, Deputy Attorney General Advocate Arif Khan, labour rights activist Taslima Akhter, and CAB Organising Secretary Professor Syed Mizanur Rahman, among others, attended the event.
In his speech, Anu Muhammad said that despite changes in government over the years, no meaningful initiative has been taken to establish a sustainable, people-centric energy policy.
He also alleged that some advisers and special assistants during the interim government had acted as corporate lobbyists to secure deals for foreign firms.
According to him, contracts are often negotiated by aligned interests on both sides, leaving Bangladesh to bear high costs while becoming increasingly dependent.
"Our position is clear - natural resources must remain under full public ownership, be used primarily for domestic needs, and be explored and developed through national capacity," he said.
At the same time, he stressed the need for a transition to renewable energy and stronger accountability for corruption in the sector.
"Such changes will not come automatically; they require strong public pressure and organised movements," he added.
Ruhin Hossain Prince said the current fuel supply disruption is visible in urban areas through long queues at refuelling stations, but the suffering of farmers in rural areas often goes unnoticed.
"The impact of farmers not getting fuel for irrigation will affect everyone, as it is directly linked to food production," he said.
Taslima Akhter said the impacts of climate change should also be integrated into discussions on energy and power policy.
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