Rural power protests an ‘attempt to destabilise nation’, says Power Division

The Power Division has dismissed the ongoing protests over reforms to Palli Bidyut Samity, or Rural Power Council, as “attempts to destabilise the nation”, asserting that the movement is not connected to the organisation’s “dedicated staff".

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state-run agency urged demonstrators to end the protests and return to their workplaces.

“Some employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) are trying to create instability in the country by bringing up the issue of rural electricity reform; as an excuse, which is undesirable,” it said.

“A press release of unregistered Bangladesh Rural Electricity Association caught the government’s attention and it observed that this so-called group does not represent any legal entity of the PBS, and its dedicated officers and employees were not involved with the movement.”

The Rural Electrification Board (REB) supplies power to the countryside through 80 PBSs. Thousands of workers of these councils are protesting over seven demands including implementation of employment rules, cessation of harassment, and withdrawal of cases at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

They call for the removal of the REB chairman, who has allegedly “disrupted the work environment through fascist-style repression and torture” of the workers.'

The protesters cut off power to different districts of the country in October, triggering hours-long outages across those areas. Though they are protesting without switching off power this time, different areas are experiencing regular disruption of services.

The statement added that the government was “closely monitoring” the movement and took steps to resolve the situation. These are as follows:

Formation of a committee, led by BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Syed Ferhat Anwar, to review the structural and operational framework of REB and PBSs. It will consult all stakeholders before submitting a report ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Formation of another committee led by an additional secretary of the Power Division to review alleged discrepancies in pay grades and employment status between REB and PBS employees. A notification on this will be issued next week.

Instructions to reconsider the actions against PBS employees on charges of breach of discipline and sparing those who were not involved in activities linked to sabotage.

Investigating officers involved in corruption in the procurement, recruitment and promotion process at the REB and taking legal action for those found guilty.

Setting an age limit and standard for physical capacity for PBS employees engaging in risky emergency services with additional benefits for those who are exposed to such work, in line with the country’s existing labour law, recognised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Continuing the government’s regularising process of employees, under which 6025 PBS officers and workers have been regularise in the REB.

Considering the humanitarian aspect, 3,079 individuals, who are couples and working in separate workplaces, have been recently transferred to the same workplace. And for joint employees, six people have been sent back to their respective workplaces and the rest are also under consideration.

Cases against some PBS employees and the accused can be proven innocent in a judicial process of the court.

The government urged these protesters to be driven by their “sense of responsibility” in keeping with the interests of the country.