The parliament has unanimously passed the “Electricity Bill, 2018” keeping the provision of maximum five years in jail along with Tk5 lakh financial penalty for illegal use of electricity. The bill was passed on Tuesday. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid moved the bill in the House, which was passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. Piloting the bill, 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. “Besides, maximum five-year jail or maximum Tk5 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.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 23, 2018 15:45 UTC