<i>'Runaway' transformers chained</i>
An electric transformer meant for subscribers of Palli Bidyut Samity (rural electrification association) in Delduar upazila headquarters under Tangail district gets chained and locked by the authorities amid rising incidents of transformer theft in the district. Photo: STAR
Amid rising incidents of transformer theft, authorities of Palli Bidyutayan Board (Rural Electrification Board) have made it obligatory for its customers in the district to set iron chains and locks with electric transformers. Sixty-three electric transformers of different categories have been stolen from Delduar and Nagarpur upazilas in Tangail and Chowhali upazila in Sirajganj under Delduar Palli Bidyut Samity since 2008, said sources of Palli Bidyut office at Delduar. There are 3,508 electric transformers of different categories for 40,407 subscribers in the areas under Delduar Palli Bidyut Samity, said Tapan Kumar Das, deputy general manager of the office. When transformers are stolen, subscribers face untold sufferings in addition to monetary losses as transformers cannot be set in time even after depositing money due to shortage of the equipment, palli bidyut officials said. As per direction of Rural Electrification Board Chairman Brig Gen Moin Uddin, the organisation has already taken initiative to motivate its customers to put chains and locks on all electric transformers in the district within May 31 this year, they said. “There are 15,700 electric transformers of different categories for 1,67,000 customers in eight upazilas under Tangail Palli Bidyut Samity. Over 2,000 transformers have been chained and locked so far and the rest will follow within the deadline,” Obaidur Rahman, general manager of Tangail Palli Bidyut Samity, said a few days ago. Several customers of Palli Bidyut Samity said although it is not their responsibility to protect transformers from stealing, they are being forced to spend Tk 1,000 to Tk 2,800 for buying two 12-feet chains and two to six locks for the purpose. Asked about the matter, Obaidur Rahman said, "Palli Bidyut Samity is a customer-oriented organisation and it runs with the money of its customers. And so, customers will have to arrange chains and locks to protect their transformers from stealing."
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