Illegal power supply to Indian enclaves for irrigation
Electric wires from Power Development Board's (PDB) transformer (inset) at Khankapara of Chilahati Bazar in Nilphamari district goes to Indian enclave Balapara Khagrabari through bamboo poles as a section of PDB staff made the illegal arrangement allegedly in exchange of bribe from several big farmers in the enclave, who are using the electricity for irrigation.Photo: STAR
While the country's farmers are facing acute irrigation problems in the current boro season for power outages, Bangladesh's electricity is being used to irrigate acres of land in Indian enclaves attached to Domar upazila of the district. Locals said that a section of officials at Power Development Board (PDB) in the upazila arranged this illegal power connection to the enclaves Balapara Khagrabari and Kharija Bhazini -- in exchange of money. During a recent visit, this correspondent found that the connections have been taken from a transformer at Khanka Para in Chilahati area near the land sub-registration office. With support of a number of bamboo pillars, wires from the transformer are transmitting the PDB electricity to the enclaves. Three electric meters have also been set up on the pillars of the transformer. Harunur Rashid Bulbul, a resident at the Indian enclave Balapara Khagrabari, admitted of taking of power connection from the Bangladeshi transformer. Locals alleged he is operating power pumps for irrigation of over 250 bighas of land. “Being deprived of any facilities from both countries, we are passing an inhumane life”, Bulbul said. “We want sympathy and kind co-operation from Bangladeshi people as we are agitating to be a part of Bangladesh's mainland.” Similarly, Mokbul Pramanik and Mokshed Pramanik of Khazira Bhazini enclaves are irrigating over 500 bighas of boro land with Bangladesh electricity. Locals further alleged that the electricity connections to the enclaves are being shown in the name of Bangladesh citizens. Contacted, Belalluddin, residential engineer (RE) of PDB in Domar, expressed his ignorance about the use of Bangladesh electricity in Indian enclaves. “I will look into the matter and take proper steps if we find it a fact.” Belalluddin said that the total supply of electricity is about 3 to 3.5 megawatt against the demand for 8 mw in the upazila. The huge gap between demand and supply has been creating an acute power crisis, the RE said.
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