The National Committee for the Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, and Power Ports has demanded legal action against ministers, state ministers, secretaries, advisers, and others allegedly involved in corruption and anti-national interest contracts in the energy sector.
They also called for a sustainable, self-reliant, and eco-friendly master plan for Bangladesh's energy and power sector to curb misappropriation and enhance national capacity.
The demands were raised during a meeting on Saturday titled "Outline of Fuel and Power Sector: Current Situation and Actions" held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium on Saturday.
Key speakers included Prof Anu Mohammad, Professor MM Akash, Prof Shamsul Alam, Prof Moshahida Sultana, and Dr Anis Chowdhury, alongside leaders from various political parties and organizations.
Prof Anu Mohammad, a leading figure of the National Committee, argued that Bangladesh should focus on alternatives to nuclear power and called for the cancellation of the Rampal and Rooppur power plants.
“Bangladesh doesn’t need nuclear power. If these projects continue, they will lead to significant losses,” he said, adding that the government should prioritize environmental concerns.
The committee presented a six-point demand for energy sector reform, which includes immediate steps to reduce electricity and energy prices to protect national interests, reevaluation of existing and potential contracts, particularly those involving foreign entities, and cancellation of contracts deemed harmful to Bangladesh’s interests.
Among the recommendations, the committee urged a review of power plant agreements with Adani and proposed the revocation of private power plant licenses found to be profiting unfairly.
They also advocated for reducing reliance on imported gas by increasing domestic extraction, including an emphasis on empowering Bapex for offshore gas extraction.
Speakers highlighted that the energy sector must provide accessible electricity and renewable energy at fair prices, while ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice.
They stressed the need for reforms in the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act of 2003 to improve governance and control over rising costs.
The committee also called for ending subsidies to private power plants and eliminating capacity charges. They recommended the public disclosure of individuals involved in corruption and embezzlement, addressing failures in Palli Bidyut supply, and undertaking necessary reforms.
Further, they proposed withdrawing import duties on renewable energy components to encourage green power generation and emphasized the importance of competitive bidding in renewable energy infrastructure development.
The committee concluded by urging the adoption of their 2017 master plan, which promotes local energy solutions and self-sufficiency in power generation.