Minister apologises over Tk 507cr bogus electricity bill, suspends Magura PBS GM

Besides, the minister ordered immediate suspension of the General Manager (GM) of Magura Palli Bidyut Samity over the alleged gross and unacceptable negligence in the discharge of his official duties.

The suspension was issued immediately after the incident came to the minister's attention through the media and social media, according to a ministry press release.

The minister expressed deep concern and regret over the issuance of a bogus electricity bill against a residential customer in Magura, said the press release.

It said suspended GM Md Mahitul Islam will not discharge his duties, while the Palli Bidyut Samity Board will take disciplinary action following an urgent directive from the minister.

The minister personally contacted the affected customer over the phone. During the conversation, Mahmood sincerely apologised to the customer for the unfortunate incident and the temporary mental distress and anxiety caused by it.

The minister also assured the customer that the bill had already been corrected and a revised bill had been delivered.

He urged the customer to inform the authorities directly if any such problem occurs in the future.

According to media report, a bill of Tk 506 crore 83 lakh 11 thousand 593 was issued for September 2026 in the name of Aleya Khatun, wife of retired teacher Shahidul Islam of Kechuadubi village under Magura Sadar upazila's Moghi Union, for consumption of 235 units of electricity.

After getting information about the matter, the minister immediately ordered an investigation. 

A preliminary investigation found that the extraordinarily high bill was generated due to a mechanical error during meter replacement, when the digits of the meter seal number were inadvertently posted in the demand charge field.

Following confirmation of the incident in the preliminary investigation, the minister also ordered strict departmental and disciplinary action against other officers and employees found to be involved.

The minister said the government is committed to ensuring a people-friendly and service-oriented administration, reports BSS.

"Any electricity-related complaint will be taken with utmost seriousness, and effective measures will be taken at the earliest possible time to alleviate people's suffering," he said.