Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) yesterday placed a 13-point demand for reforms to the power and energy sector which includes the abolishment of a law that gives impunity to government officials.

The body also demanded that the government's unilateral powers to set energy prices be revoked, public hearing process be reinstated for setting prices, and the signing of agreements that go against public interests is put to an end.

CAB placed the demands at a citizens' meeting, titled "CAB's proposal in reformation: Energy Crisis and Renewable Energy Development" at Cirdap Auditorium in the capital.

It demanded that "energy justice" be ensured.

"The word indemnity is hated in politics, but in 2010 we got such an act in the power and energy sector and renewed it several times," said chief guest Rashed Khan Menon, president of the Workers Party of Bangladesh.

He said, "Due to this act, there is no scope to raise any kind of questions related to the government decision regarding electricity generation, usage, and transmission."

"We made the power sector import-dependent. We didn't empower Bapex enough to explore local gas. We had raised questions in the parliament in this regard… even we talked about the indemnity act, but we did not have the majority to abolish the act."

"The environment of the parliament became narrow. We can't say what we had said earlier in 2008 or in 2014," he added.

In 2010, the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act was introduced and extended until 2026 last year. A clause in the act gives the indemnity.

Prof M Shamsul Alam, who placed the demands, said, "The government recently took the authority of energy pricing into its hands bypassing the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. This means, the government will do business in this sector and regulate the sector, which is absurd."

Last year, the government added a clause to the BERC Act 2003 that enabled the government to adjust power and gas prices without any public hearings. Using the provision, the government has increased electricity and gas prices several times this year.

"No share of any government-owned company would be held by any individual. All bureaucrats should be withdrawn from the state-owned companies' board of directors," said Shamsul.

He said at least half the state-owned power plants must sell power at cost.

Energy expert Prof Badrul Imam said that the government initiative to drill at least 46 gas wells in the next two years is much appreciated. However, the government should have done this 10 years ago, he said.

"If we started the job in time, it could have helped us fight against the ongoing crisis. Surprisingly, Bangladesh didn't emphasise offshore drilling even after it got a huge offshore area in 2012 after a legal battle with India and Myanmar. Both countries are extracting gas from offshore."

The government is now moving ahead with a proposal of ExxonMobil Corporation to explore the Bay of Bengal, which is "too late", Prof Imam added.

CAB President Ghulam Rahman presided over the program while Dhaka University Prof MM Akash, Shameem Haider Patwary MP, Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, Socialist Party of Bangladesh leader Razequzzaman Ratan, Architect Iqbal Habib, Jyotirmoy Barua also spoke.