SANGSAD BHABAN, Nov 14, 2017 (BSS) – Keeping the provision of three to
five years imprisonment along with maximum Taka 5 lakh financial penalty for
illegal use of electricity, the Electricity Bill, 2017, was placed in the
Jatiya Sangsad today.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid placed
the bill in the House, with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Annulling the existing Electricity Act, 1910, he said the new bill was
proposed for ensuring power generation and quality service, developing the
power transmission and distribution system, bringing reform and preventing
power pilferage at residential, industrial or commercial areas.
According to the new bill, a provision of three-year imprisonment or Taka
two times more than the value of the stolen electricity or Taka 50 thousand
will be realized as fine amount is included if anybody is found involved in
electricity pilferage in residential areas.
“Besides, maximum five-year jail or maximum Taka five lakh as fine or both
of the punishment and penalty will be imposed on the person to be found in
using any machine, device or artificial system in connecting any illegal
means,” the proposed bill added.
The House later sent the proposed bill to the concerned parliamentary
standing committee to scrutiny it and asked to report back within next 30
working days.