Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organised the discussion on 'Energy Regulation: Civil Society's Views on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities' at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.

It was also pointed out at the meeting that the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) was established two years back with the main aim of restoring order in oil, gas, power, coal and other fronts of the energy sector, but it failed to perform even an iota of its duties.

While speaking at the programme, prominent economist Dr Atiur Rahman said the tragedy of Phulbari would not have taken place if the BERC had performed its duties and responsibilities properly.

"The Phulbari incident occurred due to the failure of the BERC," he said.

BERC, a body for protecting rights of energy consumers, was established on March 13, 2003 through a legislative act, which came into effect in April 2004.

MA Momen, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI), Kazi Faruk, general secretary of CAB, also spoke at the programme, chaired by Borhan Ahmed, the CAB president, also executive editor of the daily Janakantha.

"Our energy policy is a 10-year old one and we need an updated integrated energy policy to develop a sustainable energy infrastructure," MA Momen said at the programme.

Emphasising a renewable energy generation, he mentioned that India generated 8,000 mega watt (MW) of power through renewable sources while Bangladesh generates not more than three MW for the lack of policy support by the government.

Abdullah H Mostafa, chief of USAID/NARUC Project for Regulatory Capacity Building in Bangladesh, presented the keynote paper on the topic.

In his keynote speech, Mustafa sought immediate reforms in the energy sector.