The government has initiated a review of agreements made under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010, commonly called the Indemnity Act, in the power and energy sector.
The Power Division, under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, announced the formation of a five-member national committee to conduct the review.
Led by retired High Court Judge Moinul Islam Chowdhury, the committee includes Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office; Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, a professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET); Ali Ashfaq, a chartered accountant; and Mushtaq Khan, a professor at the University of London.
According to a gazette notification, the committee has been given the authority to collect data, audit documents, and summon individuals or organizations as part of its investigation.
The review aims to assess whether the government’s interests were adequately protected in the agreements signed under the act, which allows the awarding of public contracts without the need for tender notices and provides immunity from judicial proceedings.
Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the ministry, stated that the government is not using the Indemnity Act. In a related development, on September 4, the government started importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the spot market, following Public Procurement Rules 2008, signaling a shift in procurement practices within the energy sector.
The committee will present recommendations based on its findings to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector.
