CAB demonstrates in Ctg demanding trial of 'energy looters', cancellation of deals

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 20: Dozens of activists and consumer rights defenders formed a human chain in front of the Chittagong Press Club this (Saturday) morning, calling for the immediate cancellation of all contracts signed under Bangladesh's controversial "Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act" - widely criticised as an indemnity law shielding alleged corruption in the power sector.
Organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Chattogram, and Youth CAB, Chattogram, the protest highlighted claims of massive financial waste over the past 15 years through non-competitive deals, overpriced LNG imports, and capacity payments to private plants - even when no electricity is produced.
Speakers demanded the creation of an "Energy Price Stabilization Fund" financed by compensation recovered from those accused of looting the sector.
They also called for public disclosure of culprits, trials, and a shift to transparent, accountable energy policies.
CAB Central Vice President SM Nazer Hossain, who presided over the event, accused a powerful syndicate of exploiting the indemnity law to siphon billions in public funds via capacity charges, much of it remitted abroad.
"Electricity generation capacity has quadrupled, but costs have risen 11-fold," he said, blaming rental plants and opaque agreements for skyrocketing prices that burden industries and ordinary consumers.
"Subsidies meant for the people end up benefiting oligarchs," Hossain added, referring to the proposed Tk 400 billion (Tk 40,000 crore) subsidy for electricity and Tk 70 billion (Tk 7,000 crore) for gas in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The speakers, including columnist Musa Khan, CAB leaders Ajay Mitra Shanku, Shahadat Hossain, and youth activists, echoed demands for reforming Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and establishing an independent commission free from conflicts of interest to review projects.
The 2010 Act, originally intended to fast-track energy supply amid shortages, has faced longstanding criticism for bypassing tender processes and granting legal immunity, enabling alleged favoritism and inefficiency.
Though the interim government has initiated reviews and suspended new projects under it in recent years, protesters insist full repeal and accountability are overdue.
As Bangladesh grapples with high energy costs and subsidy burdens, today's demonstration underscores growing public frustration with the sector's governance.

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