Staff Reporter :
The National Review Committee has issued a public notice seeking information or evidence of corruption in the electricity and energy sectors during the previous Awami League government.
The committee, established to review contracts within the energy and electricity departments, is encouraging the public to submit corruption-related information, specifically focusing on electricity and energy production and supply companies.
According to the announcement made on Thursday, individuals can submit complaints starting from October 4 until the end of this month. Submissions can be made via email to the address: [email protected].
The committee will review contracts made under the Electricity and Energy Rapid Supply Enhancement (Special Provisions) Act, 2010, which was amended in 2021. This law, commonly referred to as the “Indemnity Law” for the energy and electricity sector, has been a focal point of controversy.
A five-member national committee has been formed by the electricity department to undertake this review. The committee is chaired by retired High Court Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, with members including BUET Professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Chartered Accountant Ali Ashfaque, former Chief Economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office Zahid Hossain, and Professor Moshtaq Khan from the University of London.
The scope of the committee’s work includes gathering information from any source, summoning individuals or organisations for hearings, and auditing whether the government’s interests were adequately protected in contracts executed under the Special Provisions Act. The Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources issued a notification on September 5, formally establishing the committee.
The 2010 law, initially enacted for two years, has been extended multiple times, most recently for five years in 2021. The law shields those involved in the energy and electricity sector from legal scrutiny, particularly in areas such as fuel imports and power plant establishment, making it a frequent target of criticism.
Public perception and media reports have long suggested that the energy sector was plagued by corruption under the previous government. Critics argue that the indemnity provision served to protect corrupt officials and political figures. The committee’s call for public submissions is expected to help curb future corruption and expose those who took advantage of the Special Provisions Act for personal gain.
