Bypassing the government’s stand on cutting down unnecessary foreign tours, over 2961 officials of the power division travelled different foreign countries what they say for ‘gathering experience’ under several projects in the last three years.
This was disclosed at the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
Coming down heavily on the officials of the power division for their unnecessary tours abroad, the parliamentary watchdog also asked the concerned ministry officials to refrain themselves from such unnecessary foreign trips.
According to the logbook presented at the meeting, 1,226 persons went abroad for training, eight went to attend workshops, 28 went to attend several seminars and the rest of the 1,703 persons went for different reasons, including Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI).
After the meeting, the committee president Shahiduzzaman Sarkar said, “As it has been already occurred. Therefore, I urge the ministry to remain cautious and not to send officials unnecessarily abroad. It is often observed that the same officer traveled abroad, even if it was not needed.”
The ministry has been also asked to reduce the system loss of power. At present, the power system loss is 11.96 percent. However, the ministry indicated that it is the lowest system loss in South Asia.
The committee has told the ministry to avoid system lapse and energy theft. In this case, it has been asked to show the actual figure of system loss.
It was informed at the meeting that 21 solar mini grids, 1,374 solar irrigation pumps and 5.8 million solar home systems have been set up to connect solar power to rural and off-grid areas. The installation of six mini solar grids and 232 solar irrigation pumps is in progress.
In addition, after 1969 villages have been identified where non-electrified pockets are unable to reach to the grid, and 620 villages will be connected to the grid by June next.
The committee recommended that the ministry take steps to bring 100 percent people under the power coverage by 2020 to transform Bangladesh like Qatar.
Chaired by Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarker, a member of the committee, the meeting was attended by Khaleda Khanam and Begum Nargis Rahman.
Besides, senior secretary of the power division Syed Mamunul Alam, Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus and ministry officials were present there.