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To the Editor...
***Letters for publication in these columns should be addressed to the Editor and legibly written or typed with double space. For reasons of space, short letters are preferred, and all are subject to editing and cuts. Pseudonyms are accepted. However, all communications must bear the writer's real name, signature and address. ***
Faulty electricity bills
Sir, Harassment of Innocent consumers by giving them faulty and inflated electricity bills by PDB has reached it s peak now-a-days. It is alleged that some meter readers, inspectors and engineers of PDB have been transferring the burden of their corruption or inefficiency onto the shoulders of innocent consumers, who cannot connive with them to keep their monthly electricity bills lower than the actual consumption tn exchange of illegal gratifications : Highly inflated (some time 2-3 times the normal) bills arc given tn order to pressurize the sincere and honest consumers to came to an unwritten deal with them.
On the other hand, it is also alleged, some other consumers who have underhand deal with such PDB staff get their bills at an abnormally low consumption level than their actual consumption. With the present system of meter reading, billing and overall revenue collection system, tt seems, both PDB and its honest con-
sumcrs are put to the mercy of some corrupt personnel.
In our opinion, privatisation of electricity distribution system is the only solution to this problem. Formation of DESA (Dhaka Electric Supply Authority) is a right step towards this direction. Similarly Chittagong Electric Supply Authority (CESA) should also be formed.
In the meantime the following urgent measures should be taken In order to save the innocent consumers:
1. Make a system of taking and documenting meter reading jointly by PDB staff and consumers.
2. Notify the consumer about the date and time of joint meter reading and documenting at least one week ahead, so that the consumer or his representative can remain present during the meter reading. No meter reading should be done without the presence and signature of the consumer.
3. Unless the meter reading is jointly documcnled, electricity bills should be on the average consumption only.
4. Random checking and Inspection of the works of meter readers by the higher officials of PDB. Load connections in suspected houses vis-a-vis their monthly electricity consumption may tie checked.
5. Open of complaint cells In the offices of Executive Engineers/Dy. Directors (Commercial Operations) to give hearing to the problems of consumers.
6. Form Parliamentary Enquiry Team to look Into the problems of electricity consumers.
7. Electricity Consumers' Associations in each clty/lown/U Z II Q to monitor and co-ordinate consumers' problems.
8. Segregate each commercial distribution area by separate load despatch centres to identify high system loss areas.
I would request the democratic government to take urgent remedial measures as proposed above. Otherwise, staggering system loss may cross 50% by next 2/3 years and sufferings of consumers will aggravate further
Sarwar Mor shed Monjur East Nastrabad. Chittagong.
Campus violence
Sir. Many suggestions have been made, opinions sought, discussions held al regional and national levels, anxieties expressed, sessions held in the national parliament to find out ways and means to eradicate violence from our educational institutions. But the situation on the contrary, shows no sign of improvement as yet. Even opinion was expressed in your item published on the 7th instant that limited powers of the authority of Dhaka University seemed unable to check the violence on the campus. The poignant question in whether the laws of the land are adequate enough for the law enforcing agencies to cheek the criminal activities on the campus. The answer is quite in the positive. It should be borne in mind that the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code not to speak of Special Powers Act, 1974, are adequate enough to nab the law breakers and put them before the court of law lo face trial. Bui it has been observed again and again that the campus turns our laws Inoperative, and the law enforcing agencies with their combat gears Into incompetent silent observers. Many innocent Ilves were lost at the hands of the law-breakers who brandished unauthorised fire-arms at the very nose of the law enforcing agencies (with all immunities!)
And unfortunately no one has been punished not lo speak of bringing the law breakers and murderers before the court of law, as if the campus is above the law.
It does not require discussions, seminars, rallies to find out means lo eradicate campus violence, but determination on the part of the law enforcing agencies to discharge their responsibilities as required in the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976 and nothing else.
Nowhere has it been said that the law enforcing agencies should obtain clearance before taking action against any criminal activity whether it is^ within campus or without. And, finally, as a law abiding citizen I would like to see the law enforcing agencies discharging their duties.
Zoned Hasan
Dhaka
Bottled water
Sir. I am a chemical engineer by profession and a regular subscriber reader of The Daily Star since its inception. I was very happy with the style of reporting, news coverage and get-up of your esteemed daily
But recently I was frus-
trated seeing a report (Aug 16) under the caption "Bottled Water Traders on without BSD Approval." To me the writer appears either ignorant on the subject or motivated. The logic of my saying so Is : Under the existing law of the country it Is not required to obtain the BSTI certification for marketing bottled water. Mr. Khalilur Rahman has misled the public by his caption of reporting. Secondly he is also wrong tn reporting the WHO's drinking water standard. He has only mentioned the chemical analysis of tt while completely ignored the micro biological part. As per WHO's estimate 70% of the world’s infectious diseases is caused because of micro biologically pollutant drinking water.
1 would request, to keep good standard of your dally, reporters should be advised to study properly the subjects In question. Because faulty reporting creates doubt In the public mind and may damage the credibility of your newspaper.
Engr A Matin Chowdhury Dhanmondl R A.. Dhaka