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The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has ordered all Palli Bidyut Samitees (PBSs) employees absent under the guise of "mass leave" to return to work within 24 hours.
Those who fail to comply may face legal action, according to a press release issued Sunday.
"Uninterrupted electricity supply is a mandatory service, and any obstruction or disruption is punishable under the law. The government is concerned about the demands of Palli Bidyut Samitees (PBSs) employees and said it is working to address them," it added.
Meanwhile, PBS employees have announced that they will continue their mass-leave programme, ensuring emergency electricity services remain unaffected.
The association requested that at least two employees be present at 80 substations to maintain uninterrupted power supply in rural areas.
In a separate press release signed by PBS Office Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, the association claimed it is not acting against national interests and called for permanent solutions to their problems.
Among their demands are the reinstatement of wrongfully terminated or suspended employees, administrative and legal action against corrupt officials within the Rural Electrification Board (REB), and either integration of REB-PBS or formation of independent distribution companies similar to other organisations.
The PBSs also seek regularisation of all contractual and irregular staff, including meter readers, messengers, line workers, and billing assistants.
The demonstrations, which began in January 2024, have been staged intermittently since then. The latest mass-leave programme started on Sunday, continuing the ongoing movement.
azizjst@yahoo.com