Editorial
DESA in a Quagmire
The parent body's warning has had very little effect on Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (DESA) so far as reducing its systems loss and arrears to the PDB are concerned. DESA has neither been able to reduce the systems loss of over Tk. 350 crore a year nor has it been able to realise Tk. 1400 crore from its users, mainly government offices and industries to pay up its dues to the PDB. The whole government machinery, notably including the Prime Minister and the donors as well have been critical of DESA's continuing inefficiency. The PDB has more than Tk. 2500 crore in outstanding dues with DESA and other clients which is equivalent to almost one and a half years' billings, according to a report in The Daily Star on Monday.
PDB has set a target for DESA to reduce its systems loss to 18-19 per cent from the existing 25-26 per cent which the latter has obviously to achieve. A lot of drainage in terms of revenue billing and collection occurs due to the dishonesty of a class of employees, mainly the meter-readers and supervisers. So the key to the so-called systems loss is the meter-readers. With a dishonest meter-readers and unscrupulous users in league reduction of systems loss is a far cry. Then again the government policy of discouraging users from consuming more power by increasing charges adds to the already depressing situation in the power sector. So, DESA needs to adopt a three-pronged strategy to shore itself up: computerisation, surveillance and some sort of an incentive scheme for its employees. Along with incentives, fear of punishment for dishonest employees should also be there. A balanced policy must be followed by DESA to come out of the impasse.
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