|
A huge amount of money allocated to the power sector over the past four years by the present government could hardly make any improvement in the power situation in the country, sources said.
The government's pledge to ensure electricity for all by 2020 now seems a day-dream.
The country is reeling from a severe power crisis with the cities, towns and villages plunging into darkness everyday for a longer duration.
The sources blamed improper policies, corruption and bureaucratic tangle for the pitiable condition of the power sector.
The government has failed to add much to the generation of power. Although it has taken several power projects over the years the progress of their implementation suffered due to multifarious weaknesses.
Not a single project has yet seen the light of the day.
The sources said installation processes of new power plants are being lingered due to inefficient functioning and lack of coordination among various agencies in the power sector.
There has been no dearth of funds for power sector, which has been receiving increased allocations in the Annual Development Programmes (ADPs) since the incumbent government assumed power four years ago, the sources said.
"It's an irony that despite the power sector having an edge in ADP fund allocation over other sectors has failed to reap the benefit," one official commented.
The shortfall of electricity supply has now reached 1200 megawatt (MW) leading to frequent power outages across the country.
Power Division sources under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) said ADP allocation to power sector scaled up to Tk 32.12 billion in fiscal 2005-06 from Tk 19.36 billion in 2001-02.
The power sector received 12.1 per cent, 13.70 per cent, 17.26 per cent and 20.74 per cent of the ADPs in the fiscal years of 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and respectively.
"From the very outset the government has consistently been increasing ADP allocations to the power sector to achieve an ambitious target of ensuring electricity for all by the year 2020," a senior official of the Power Development Board (PDB) told the FE.
But instead of providing electricity to new clients the government is now struggling hard to maintain supply of electricity to its existing clients, he said.
Besides, to cope with the deficit in electricity generation and ensure supply of electricity to highly privileged people the government has planned to prepare 'sensitive consumers' lists.
The Power Division sources said a major chunk of the power sector fund has been earmarked for the maintenance of old power plants.
The Power Division has now been implementing 62 development projects under the ADP for the current fiscal year.
The government has allocated Tk 32.12 billion for implementing the projects, which included 53 investment projects and nine technical assistance (TA) projects.
A total of Tk 7.18 billion was spent for implementing the projects until November last. The amount spent was 22.37 per cent of the total allocation against the projected target of 27.02 per cent for the period.
The projects include construction of Boropukuria 250 MW coal based thermal power station, 210 MW Siddhirganj thermal power station, renovation and modernisation of unit one and two of Ghorashal thermal power station, renovation and modernisation of unit three, four and five of Ashuganj station, construction of Sylhet 90 MW Combined Cycle power station-phase-2 and renovation of Karnaphuli hydro-electric project.
Other projects include construction of Ishwardi-Baghabari-Sirajganj-Bogra 230 kv transmission line, Khulna-Ishwardi and Bogra-Barapukuria 230 kv transmission line, establishment of national load dispatch centre, Greater Khulna Power Distribution Project, Greater Rajshahi Power Distribution Project, Greater Chittagong Power Distribution Project-phase-3, Pre-paid metering pilot scheme and Greater Dhaka Power Distribution Project-phase-4.
A high-level committee had recommended the shutting down of 31 old power plants across the country having the generation capacity of 534 MW.
|