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CHATTOGRAM: The Power Development Board (PDB) has installed over 0.45 million prepaid meters in Chattogram under the southern distribution zone in two projects till January last.
Officials said the misuse of electricity has reduced while the revenue has increased alongside freeing the consumers under prepaid system from different harassments including corruption by a section of holdings in connivance with corrupt field level employees.
There were allegations of billing of the power consumption without meter reading while many consumers resorted to evil practices of bypassing actual consumption of electricity with under-hand dealings with metre readers.
The PDB Distribution Southern Zone in Chattogram has planned to bring the entire distribution network under the prepaid system.
There are over one million holdings under the zone.
The authority has plans to implement the system fully by 2020, it is learnt.
Public Relations department in the PDB Chattogram region said two Chinese firms are installing the prepaid meters which started in March 2016. The first phase of the prepaid metering project was completed in June 2017 at the cost of Tk 1.3736 billion.
Under the first phase, as many as 139,000 prepaid meters were installed in the holdings under Chittagong MA Aziz Stadium, Agrabad, Khulsi and Pahartali sub-stations.
The second phase prepaid metering system started in October 2017 at Rampur, Madarbari and Bakolia sub-stations. 100 per cent structural works under the second phase has also been completed.
Under the second project worth Tk 750 million financed by the PDB's own fund some 150,000 prepaid meters have been installed. Under the two projects the old meters have been replaced by the new prepaid meters.
Besides, the PDB Chattogram southern distribution zone has installed over 12000 new connections with prepaid meters.
Under the prepaid metering more than 0.45 million holdings have been made to pay off their use of electricity prior to power consumption, said Assistant Director (Public Relations) of the PDB Md Shahidul Islam.
He said that the PDB Distribution Southern Zone in Chattogram has ensured 100 per cent revenue earning, reduced system loss, pilferage and corruption by evil users and employees and finally stopped misuse and saved valuable electricity.
The PDB is, however, charging Tk 40 per month as service charge on each prepaid meter and Tk 40 as rent for the meter per month.
A middle income group electricity consumer serving in a private firm in the city questioned the claim of service charge and meter rent. Once installed, the authority has left the job with consumers themselves.
At the same time, the PDB can sell off the prepaid meter once for all at purchase rate without charging the rent. The authority can inform the meter users about the purchase cost and if the users can afford they can pay and own the meters, he said.