‘Ghost Bills’ Despite Prepaid Meters: Angry Residents Protest — Series Report (Part 1)

Serious allegations of corruption have surfaced against officials of the Electricity Distribution Division-3 under the Cumilla power department. From the Executive Engineer to Assistant Engineers and even meter readers, several officials have reportedly been implicated.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has been pressuring customers to install prepaid meters. Many consumers claim that even after clearing outstanding dues, their electricity connections were disconnected. To restore service, they were allegedly forced not only to pay previous bills with penalties but also to replace their existing meters with prepaid ones.

However, after installing prepaid meters, customers say they began receiving unexpected and unexplained “ghost bills” within a few months. Despite clearing their dues, meters were allegedly locked again, preventing users from recharging them. This has left many consumers frustrated and distressed.

Several residents reported that after their meters were locked, they were unable to add balance, effectively cutting off their electricity. “We paid all outstanding bills. Why are our meters still being locked?” questioned one aggrieved customer.

Many affected individuals visited the local electricity office seeking a solution. But during Ramadan, office hours have been shortened until 3:00 PM, and customers often found the office closed upon arrival, worsening their suffering. Some residents claimed they had to eat sehri by candlelight due to the power outage.

In certain cases, families reported that perishable food items stored in refrigerators were spoiled because they were unable to recharge their locked meters.

Allegations have been directed at a meter reader named Anis. Residents claim he intentionally withholds units in the meter system and later presents customers with inflated bills. When contacted by phone, Anis denied that any customer had requested him to manipulate meter units to reduce bills. When asked why such incidents were occurring, he reportedly failed to provide a clear explanation.

Assistant Engineer Ayub Ali, when reached by phone, said he was at court regarding a case. Concerning the locking of meters, he stated that since he was not directly involved, he could not comment. He explained that meters are locked from Dhaka, while unlocking is handled locally. When asked whether bill payments from the Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad area had been properly updated, he responded that updating payments was not his responsibility and that duties are divided among different officials.

When approached directly at his office, Executive Engineer Parvez reviewed documents and acknowledged that payments had been made but claimed it could take up to one month for the system to update. When questioned about why meters were unlocked after showing payment proof and then locked again, he asked whether the payment receipt had been shown to Room 101.

When a victim responded that the meter would not have been unlocked without showing payment proof, the engineer said he would look into the matter. Asked whether he or his office would take responsibility for food losses caused by the locked meters during Ramadan, he replied, “We are looking into it.”

It was also alleged that during the discussion, a politically influential individual contacted the reporter by phone, which the reporter considered a form of intimidation and obstruction to fair news coverage.

Residents question how the Executive Engineer could claim ignorance regarding such widespread complaints. Concerned community members are demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged negligence and misconduct of responsible officials, along with appropriate legal action.