State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid placed a bill in the parliament on Tuesday specifying the penalty for illegal use of electricity.
As per the bill a person found guilty of using electricity illegally will face three to five years’ imprisonment and a financial penalty of Tk 500,000.
The Electricity Bill 2017 was placed annulling the existing Electricity Act 1910, in the House with speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in chair.
Nasrul said the new bill will ensure power generation and quality service and development of the power transmission and distribution system, according to a NSS report.
The bill will also prevent power pilferage at residential, industrial or commercial areas, he added.
According to the new bill, a provision of three-year imprisonment or two times more financial penalty of the value of stolen electricity or Tk 50,000 will be realised as fine for illegal users of electricity.
"Besides, maximum five-year jail or maximum Tk 500,000 as fine or both of the punishment and penalty will be imposed on the person found using any machine, device or artificial system in connecting any illegal means," added Nasrul while placing the bill.
The House later sent the proposed bill to the concerned parliamentary standing committee to scrutiny it and asked to report back within next 30 working days.
