All negotiations, selections, purchasing processes halt

All negotiations, selections, and purchasing processes of all power-and energy projects halt as the much-talked-about quick-solution law gets under the axe as part of reforms kick-started by the interim government.
Interim government's new adviser for power and energy, and road transport and bridges Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan told newsmen at his secretariat Sunday about the destiny of the undertakings under The Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010.
All activities of the already inked deals under the special law, known as 'black law' in power-and-energy sector will, however, be continued, he said during his first day in office after being sworn in as adviser of the new interim government headed by Nobel laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus.
"We shall, however, review the terms and conditions of the deals already inked under the special law," said Mr Khan.
The council of advisers will take decision further on execution of the projects under the law, he added.
The tenure of the special provision, enacted in 2010, was extended on several occasions, stretching until 2026 with the latest extension of its tenure by five years in 2021.
Responding on a query over scrapping of the special law, Mr Khan said the pros and cons of the law would be scrutinised and be discussed in the meeting of the council of advisers.
He, however, said the government is considering other terms of continuity and trust.
The decision on halting future activities of the special law was taken following a several-hours-long meeting of the adviser with top officials of energy and mineral resources division (EMRD) and power division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR).
The meeting also decided to put on hold a law that allows the government to adjust power and natural-gas tariffs by executive order bypassing Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
The previous Awami League government amended the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act under article 34 (Ka) to assume rights of adjusting gas and power tariffs arbitrarily bypassing public hearings and the regulator - BERC.
It means the interim government will bestow the responsibility on the BERC, which will decide on the future power and natural-gas tariff adjustments following public hearings.
The government raised both power and natural-gas tariffs several times by executive orders under the amended law.
During the meeting with the EMRD officials, the adviser said the performances of the power and energy officials would be evaluated through real indicators.
"Everyone must have to come out of the clutches of corruption," he stressed.
Showing respects to all the martyrs of the recent student-mass movement Mr Khan said, "We must reshape out thinking prioritizing the innovative ideas of the youths."
He also opined for cost cutting in every sectors to expedite the economy, which is now under stress, and directed the officials to go for competitive tendering process to execute future power-and energy projects.

[email protected]