In clear violation of the power policy, the Power Development Board (PDB) has continued supplying illegal dual connections in eight villages of Bahuli and Kalia Haripur unions of Sirajganj Sadar upazila that are actually under Palli Biduyt Samity (PBS).
In the last month, nearly 50 poles were installed in Dhitapur-Alal, Dhitapur-Kanu, Mansumi, Char-Kalyani, Bara-Chakuli, Kashiahata, Baoitara and Kadai villages.
To provide illegal dual connections and to increase load, PDB has already installed two transformers in Kashiahata and Baoitara, while Dhitapur is awaiting installation of another. The villages got more than 200 new connections in the last one month while another 500 new connections are in the offing.
Nearly 75,000 applications for new connections from PBS clients, living in remote areas in nine upazilas of the district, have piled up at Sirajganj PBS headquarters and other offices. There are allegations that the applications have not been attended as PBS officials and clients failed to reach a consensus over bribes.
As no PBS connection is currently being provided, clients are trying to contact PDB brokers and middlemen. Because of alleged agreement between PBS officials and PDB brokers, PBS connections are not being provided deliberately, allowing PDB brokers easy access to supply dual connections in PBS areas. The brokers are raking in a large sum.
Both PDB and PBS officials are keeping mum on PDB men installing poles and transformers at night in PBS villages. PDB’s illegal dual connections in PBS areas are depriving the state coffer of valuable funds, but officials of both bodies are only sending letters to the administrative office, blaming each other.
In the wake of reports of supplying illegal dual connections in PBS areas, former executive engineer of Sirajganj PDB Krishna Kanti Roy and caretaker engineer of Pabna region Moazzem Hossain were recently transferred as part of the punitive measures taken against them, but the wrongdoing still goes unabated. The brokers have become active again soon after Abu Hena Mostafa joined as PDB’s new resident and executive engineer in Sirajganj.
“After carrying out a probe, we have informed the office of the PBS senior general manager of PDB supplying illegal connections in PBS areas, but no action has yet been taken,” said Sirajganj PBS Deputy General Manager Nasimul Haque.