THE country is now facing shortage of coal for running coal-based power plants. The government is considering of importing coal to run Barapukuria coal-based power plant as supply from the country’s lone coal mine, Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL), has stopped.
No doubt, lack of accountability and transparency in the coal sector is causing a huge loss. On one hand, amount as huge as 182,000 tonnes of coal has disappeared while on the other it’s the coal based power plants which are now bearing the brunt for shortage of fuel supply. Their regular production of energy is being severely hampered. And the impact of the crime is felt by people of the northern region.
Since last Sunday, the thermal power plant with a capacity of 525 megawatts has stopped generating power affecting the supply of electricity in the vast northern region. The mine is scheduled to go into coal production from next month. Before that time normal supply in the area cannot be expected. Unless people go out of their heads, it is impossible for Managing Directors, managers and others to form a pact for embarking on such an outrageous but silent heist.
Understandably, if the country now imports coal, the price will not only be higher but also the cost of energy will likely to shoot-up. The cause for importing coal can be summed up in a single sentence – the country is paying the price of an easily preventable corruption and looting.
An initial probe by the Petrobangla, the parent company of Barapukuria coal plant, has identified gross negligence of four key officials and took action against them. Despite bar by Anti-Corruption Commission, one of the accused high officials has availed leave to perform hajj.
We do believe, the huge quantity of coal was not disappeared from the yard in a day or two. A syndicate comprising the mining officials and local influential persons was directly involved in selling coal in a high price to the brick kilns and others. Only disciplinary measures will not end this sort of daring corruption.
