Energy Advisor Mahmudur Rahman says Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will never be effective if it could not come out of bureaucratic mentality. “I don’t disagree that BERC is an independent body. But since its inception the Energy Division has been cooperating. More have to be done for its flourishment. But they established the Energy Division as their rivals. In a situation like this I’m not willing to cooperate them anymore,” he said.
Asked whether the Energy Division, as per law, can ask the BERC to attend a review meeting, Rahman said: I don’t find anything wrong in it. Rather, they showed bureaucratic attitude by not attending the meeting.
“I had finalized arrangements to send the BERC Chairman and Members to USA to enhance their skills. They did not turn up. I’ll not do anything for them,” said the Advisor.
When asked why two more Members are not appointed although two years have elapsed, he replied that the matter is now under consideration of the PSC (Public Service Commission).
However, he could not say when the appointment will be finalized.
Replying to a query, Mahmudur Rahman said, the Chairman and Members were invited to the ministry to discuss about problems the Commission has been facing. “But, they did not turn up.”
“We could have solved many problems in a day. But, they refrained from participating a meeting over a trifle issue,” said the Advisor.
He said: Since they did not come to the Energy Ministry’s meeting I will not meet anyone of the Commission as long as I’ll be discharging the responsibilities of the Energy Advisor.
Rozina Islam |