Illegal gas, power connections

A mobile court in a drive conducted recently in Mirzapur upazila (sub-district) of Tangail-district snapped more than 2000 illegal gas connections. Press reports say, the inhabitants of the area informed journalists that some politically influential people, in connivance with a section of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited employees, are behind this illegal act. The gas connections were provided to households in exchange of large amount of money.
Local people complained that gas connections were given on payment of Taka 80,000 to Taka 100,000 for each single burner. The consumers were told that the Titas gas management would subsequently legalise the connections.
After the mobile court drive it was revealed that more than 2000 gas lines were given in nine wards of Mirzapur municipality and some of its adjoining areas during the last few months.
Many of those who got gas connections in their houses claimed that they were made to understand these were legal lines and that is why they paid so much of money. They demanded of the government to take stern action against the cheats.
Installation of unauthorised gas connections is not confined to Mirzapur alone. About two months ago a private TV channel in its late night broadcast showed how illegal gas connections were given to a large number of households in many areas of Narsingdi. Gas pipes were found laid all along the vast tracts of land from the main supply line risking accidents any time. The people who got household gas connections told the similar story of paying handsome amount of money for the service.
Of late, unauthorised gas connections are being provided to residents in various areas of Gazipur district. A local daily in a photograph published in its issue of July 10 last showed how illegal gas pipe line was laid in Jugitola area under Gazipur City Corporation on July 03. Gas connections are maintained from this pipeline to various households. Sub-standard pipes have been used by the contractors for providing illegal connections.
The Gazipur-based correspondent of the daily has reported that the district administration conducted drives against illegal gas supply and many connections were snapped. Gas pipes were extracted from the ground and the consumers, fined by mobile courts. Reports say in some places magistrates and members of the mobile courts came under attack by agitated residents.
The mobile court drives had initial success in disconnecting illegal gas connections. But after the drives were over the illegal connections resumed. Some consumers told the correspondent that they paid Tk 80,000 for each single burner of gas connection. In addition to Gazipur city, illegal gas connections have been spread to Sreepur and Kaliganj upazilas in recent times.  
Time and again the government high-ups have sought public cooperation in maintaining austerity in gas and power use. We know that besides consuming through illegal connections, a significant volume of gas goes waste in household use every day. Many consumers are in the habit of keeping their ovens open almost round the clock for drying wet clothes or to save a match stick.
We want to recall that on several occasions Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced her government's determination to reduce power deficit which is being supplied to houses, business establishments, mills and factories at high subsidy. Therefore, she asked the consumers to maintain austerity and check wastage of electricity so that new connections could be provided to the consumers. She advised all to switch off electricity immediately after the office hour and use air coolers only when the temperature is too high. The Prime Minister reiterated her call to the countrymen in parliament on July 02 last to be economic in using electricity. Replying to a question by Treasury Bench member AKM Rahmatullah, the Prime Minister said that the government can reach power to every household if the people become careful in maintaining austerity in electricity use. If austerity in using electricity and water is maintained, the Prime Minister noted, payments of bills will be less much to the benefit of all consumers. She also stressed the need for creating mass awareness about conserving electricity as government has to spend a large amount of money for power generation every year.
It is known to all that a big volume of electricity is used illegally by unscrupulous people in the society with the help of a section of power supply men. The systems loss which is regarded as euphemism for outright theft has been estimated at 10%-12% out of total power generation, according to sources. The dishonest consumers with the help of a section of power supply men are engaged in using electricity for various purposes. This not only continues to aggravate the crisis but deprives genuine consumers of their rights to use electricity and causes huge revenue loss.  In order to check this malpractice stringent measures should be taken against the unauthorised use of electricity.
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