AL govt left Tk 56,000cr liabilities

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said ‘fascist’ Awami League government left Tk 56,000 crore in outstanding liabilities in the power sector. He said the current government is not only paying off these dues but is also shouldering new financial obligations, forcing it to provide subsidies every month.

The minister made the remarks on Monday while speaking as the chief guest at a citizens’ dialogue on National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026–2030) organized by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) here.

At the event, energy expert Professor Dr. M. Shamsul Alam presented the keynote paper.

The minister said that during the past fifteen and a half years, most development projects prioritized personal and group interests over public welfare. 

As a result, not only the power and energy sectors but also the country’s overall economy suffered significant losses, said Iqbal. 

He added that the responsibility for addressing the crises and challenges left behind by the previous government now rests with the current administration.

He said the current government is facing additional financial pressure due to past fiscal mismanagement. 

Because of contracts signed by the previous administration, the government is now compelled to purchase electricity at comparatively higher prices, he said, adding that delays in paying outstanding bills to power producers could disrupt electricity generation. Considering these realities, the government has decided to adjust electricity tariffs, he said.

Iqbal said the government is placing the highest priority on renewable energy—particularly solar power—to reduce dependence on imported energy. 

He expressed hope that expanding the use of renewable energy would also reduce the country’s energy import costs. The minister said the government is implementing various initiatives to make the power and energy sectors more efficient, sustainable, and consumer-friendly. 

However, he emphasized that under no circumstances would the additional costs of purchasing or generating expensive electricity be passed on to ordinary consumers.

He also expressed support for greater private-sector participation in expanding rooftop solar systems. At the same time, he stressed the importance of protecting agricultural land by implementing renewable energy projects on fallow land instead.

The minister noted that around 80 percent of the country’s electricity is currently generated by the private sector.

He also said the government is working on a plan to maintain a three-month reserve of energy supplies to strengthen the country’s energy security.