Kurigram char residents pay for power they never receive

A solar electrification initiative, meant to bring power to homes beyond the reach of the national grid, has instead left residents disillusioned, and still in the dark.

Back in 2021, a total of 375 families from Chark Ghughurmari and Sukherbati, located in ward-8 of Saheber Alga Union, were provided with solar panels under a project reportedly managed by local public representatives and Awami League leaders and activists.

Each family was asked to pay between Tk 500 and Tk 1,000 in instalments for the installation of the solar units. But, according to the residents, the panels have remained dysfunctional from the very beginning.

Locals complain that the systems — comprising low-capacity panels, batteries and basic wiring — have either stopped working entirely or were never functional to begin with. Damaged batteries and faulty wiring are common, with many units rendered completely useless.

Residents such as Ruhul Amin, Abdur Razzak Pramanik, Abdus Sabur Pramanik and Kashem Ali said their villages still lack access to the national electricity grid.

At the time of installation, they were assured that payment could be made in instalments. But within eight to nine months, many began receiving official electricity bills from the Kurigram-Lalmonirhat Palli Bidyut Samity’s Ulipur zonal office despite the fact that the solar panels provided no power.

Repeated complaints to the relevant authorities have gone unanswered, with no maintenance or inspections carried out. 

Meanwhile, bills continue to arrive.

“We can’t even light a bulb with these panels. We no longer want the solar units. If proper grid electricity is given, we are willing to pay monthly bills,” said Ruhul Amin.

Zohur Uddin, 67, said he paid Tk 500 for a 50-watt solar panel, but it failed almost immediately. “It barely lasted a day. Still, we keep receiving bills every month,” he lamented.

Lutfor Pramanik, 46, who received a 30-watt panel, said he now owes Tk 2,300 for the period between 2021 and 2025, despite never having received reliable power from the system.

Locals alleged that Palli Bidyut staff members now deliver electricity bills by hand each month at the riverbank, but no officials have visited the char to investigate or repair the malfunctioning solar systems.

When contacted, Tariqul Islam, Deputy General Manager of the Ulipur zonal office of Kurigram-Lalmonirhat Palli Bidyut Samity, acknowledged the issue, reports UNB. 

“We are removing the panels upon request from those who no longer want them. Those who wish to keep them may do so. Had they paid bills on time, the arrears wouldn’t have accumulated. They are still liable to pay as per rule,” he said.

Zakir Hossain, Senior General Manager of the Palli Bidyut Samity, said he was unaware of the matter. 

“Since you’ve raised it, I will have our Ulipur office look into the situation. If indeed the solar systems are faulty, we will consider waiving the bills based on customer applications,” he said.