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AL walks out

Bill to set up energy regulatory body passed

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday passed a bill providing for setting up of an independent Energy Regulatory Commission for better management of the energy sector.
It was passed amid a walkout by opposition Awami League lawmakers.
The bill sparked a heated debate with most of the opposition deputies terming it a preparatory step by the government to export gas.
They said they will resist any move to export gas through pipeline. State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain denied the opposition allegations and said the government is yet to decide on gas export.
"We have obtained reports from expert committees and the decision will be taken in the light of their opinion," he told the House.
He had introduced the bill titled "Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Bill, 2003" on March 5 and sought its passage yesterday.
A statement on the bill said there was a potential regional market for Bangladesh's gas and power.
Earlier, opposition proposals for sending the bill to the select committee to elicit public opinion were rejected by voice. However, the House accepted two minor amendment proposals by AL lawmaker AKM Jahangir Hossain.
AL members said the proposed commission will be a burden on consumers since it will issue license for power generation, and energy supply and marketing. "It could turn into a top-heavy administration and breed more corruption," said Dr Abdur Razzak.
Suranjit Sengupta of AL expressed his doubt over the government's claim that the commission would be an independent body to look after consumer interests. "It will be a means for ruling party men to garb the energy sector," he said.
The opposition lawmakers walked out after the amendment proposals were discussed. None but Nur Mohammad Mandol of the Ershad-led faction of Jatiya Party was present during passage of the bill.
The AL lawmakers returned to the House immediately after the bill was passed by voice vote.
The commission will comprise a chairman to be appointed by the President on the ministry's suggestion and four members.
It will issue license to any person for power generation; energy transmission, supply, marketing and stocking on certain conditions.
It will renew, seize or amend any
license or impose penalty for violation of terms and conditions, investigate energy-related allegations and settle disputes.
It will fix tariff on gas and energy, set codes and standards for these and suggest the government, if needed, on energy sector issues.
The proposed law has a provision for jail up to three years or Tk 1000 fine for obstructing construction of gas supply pipeline.
The House also passed another bill titled 'The National Sports Council (Amendment) Act 2003', which stipulates election or selection to the post of president of a sports federation. The original Act and its previous amendment had no option for election.
For the post of president, the amendment replaced the words "who shall be appointed by the government" with "who shall be elected according to prescribed rules or, as the case may be, nominated by the government".
The previous nomination process created controversy, especially regarding the appointment of president of Bangladesh Football Federation after BNP assumed office.