Different ministries, semi-government and non-government agencies owe a total of Tk1,435 crore to the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, as electricity bills.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid disclosed the matter in the parliament on Thursday while responding to a question from Awami League MP Nazrul Islam Babu from Narayanganj-2.
The state minister said: “A total of Tk668 crore remains unpaid by different government offices, including ministries, while Tk766 crore by semi-government and non-government offices.”
The minister also presented a list of 43 ministries and semi-government bodies who have not paid their electricity bills yet, reports UNB.
Food and Disaster Management Ministry tops the list with outstanding bills of Tk97 crore.
Some other ministries with outstanding bills include -the Housing and Public Works Ministry with an amount of Tk95.30 crore; the Home Ministry with Tk64.53 crore, the Religious Affairs Ministry with Tk57.32 crore, the Health and Family Welfare Ministry with Tk46.96 crore and the Education Ministry with Tk37.66 crore.
Nasrul Hamid said they have taken various steps, including distribution of power bills to customers in due time, taking legal action against defaulters, holding intra-ministerial meetings, conducting surprise drives and disconnecting power lines, to collect the dues.
