Consumers in Rajshahi formed a human chain on Tuesday to demand the removal of prepaid electricity meters installed by the Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited, citing frequent technical malfunctions and customer harassment.
More than one hundred people, organized under the banner of 鈥楽wacheton Nagorik Samaj鈥�, formed the human chain in front of the Rajshahi deputy commissioner鈥檚 office and subsequently submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner demanding the withdrawal of the prepaid meter system.
Addressing the human chain, speakers said that the prepaid meters had become a major source of suffering for ordinary consumers.
They claimed that the meters frequently shut down when overloaded, become disabled by low battery power or incorrect token inputs, and switch off suddenly during voltage changes.
鈥極nce the connection is severed, restoring power becomes incredibly difficult, even after a recharge,鈥� stated MA Sabur, adding that the bills often seem inflated and the recharge process is both complicated and expensive.
The speakers warned that a larger movement would be launched if their demands were not met by authorities within seven days.
They also urged the authorities to adjust the power tariffs and demand charges and streamline the process for getting new connections.
Among others, Rajshahi City Sramik Kallyan Federation assistant general secretary Khairul Islam, Bangladesh Nationalist Party鈥檚 Rajpara Thana unit organising secretary Shahin Hossain, social activists AB Siddique and Shahadat Hossain spoke at the human chain.
