Gaibandha power consumers rally against prepaid meters, irregularities

A prepaid electric meter.

GAIBANDHA, Sept. 28 - Electricity consumers and irrigation pump owners staged a demonstration in Gaibandha on Monday afternoon demanding the cancellation of prepaid meters and an end to corruption, phantom billing, and frequent load shedding in the local power department.

Organized by the “Electricity Consumers and Irrigation Pump Owners' Association”, the protesters brought out a rally that marched through the main streets of Gaibandha town via Masterpara before terminating at the local power office around 4.00pm.

When power office staff locked the main entrance to block the demonstration, angry protesters broke through the gate, entered the premises, and formed a human chain.

Addressing the rally, speakers demanded the re-installation of digital meters, legal action against those involved in phantom billing, an immediate end to frequent load shedding, a curb on irregularities in power generation and distribution, a reduction in electricity tariffs, and swift action against corrupt officials and middlemen in the electricity department.

Chaired by Anaur Rahman, leader of the Electricity Consumers and Irrigation Pump Owners' Association, the rally was also addressed by Masud Rahman Masud, Md. Hasanur Rahman, Abdur Rahim, Khalilur Rahman, Mst. Bulbuli Begum, Abdul Halim, and Mahbubur Rahman, among others. - UNB