Officials of Palli Vidyut Samiti have apologized for the nationwide blackout. On October 19 (Saturday) at 4 pm in the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unit, Junior Engineer (IT) of Dhaka Palli Vidyut Samity Dhaka-1 said in an emergency press conference. Tamjidul Islam apologized in a written statement.
Apologizing for the blackout, Palli Vidyut Samity officials said there was no nationwide blackout. There was a shutdown. But still it should not have been done. As a result, common consumers have to suffer. We are sincerely sorry for that. But the reforms we are seeking now are not only for us, but also for the customers.
Narsingdi-1 DGM Abdullah Al Hadi said, 'REB is responsible for the unstable situation in the rural electricity sector. As a result of their corruption and arbitrariness, today the officers and employees of the association are suffering, along with the common customers. We want to resolve this soon. At this time, he also demanded to merge the board and the association.
In the press conference, the family members and officials of the victims of Palli Vidyut Samiti raised four-point demands protesting against the corruption and arbitrariness of the Rural Electrification Board and the unfair dismissal, assault, arrest and harassment of the officers and employees of the Rural Electricity Samiti.
The demands are
1. To restore stability in the unstable rural power sector created by REB immediate withdrawal of the case and reinstatement of 24 persons and stand release and posting of 2 attached persons.
2. To ensure accountability to the customer, reform the association and board and merge them into one organization and regularize contractual as opposed to permanent posts.
3. Establishing an independent commission with student coordinators to regulate rural electricity till reforms.
4. Bringing the corrupt people of REB to justice.
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