Cabinet okays new power act

The Cabinet approved the Electricity Act, 2016 at its meeting at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Monday afternoon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting that started around 12:30pm. Speaking to reporters after the meeting around 2pm, Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam said the new act would replace the law which was promulgated in 1910. Under the new law, any sabotage intended to destroy or vandalise any power establishment – i.e. power plant, sub-station, power transmission poles and lines – is punishable with at least seven years to a maximum of 10 years in prison, or a fine up to Tk10 crore, or both. In addition, any unauthorised use of electricity by any person or organisation will be considered stealing and is punishable with a maximum of three years' imprisonment, or a fine that equals double the price of electricity consumed illegally by the guilty party, or a minimum fine of Tk50,000. A special intelligence body will also be formed comprising members from different agencies in order to prevent illegal connections and other power-related crimes, the cabinet secretary said. “The authorities will establish a new institution called Independent System Operator to ensure smooth cooperation in the power system operation in the country,” he added.