These units with about 1,500 MW power generation capacity have been shut down either for maintenance or technical glitches. Meanwhile, a 2,000 MW plus load-shedding level has sparked mass protests in different areas of the country.

In one instance of lack of coordination, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has blocked release of some imported maintenance equipment for Meghnaghat 450 MW power plant for the last five or six days in connection with tax payment.

The plant, which had undergone a pre-scheduled maintenance earlier this month and is producing half its capacity now, was supposed to go into full operation today. But this has become uncertain due to the NBR's refusal to release the equipment from Zia International Airport. These equipment have been imported for maintenance work of the plant on an urgent basis in the context of the grim power scenario.

Sources said the operator of Meghnaghat plant, CDC Globelaq, told the NBR that as per agreement, payment of tax for the equipment would imply double taxation. The NBR officials refused to accept this argument and the CDC met with the power secretary to resolve the impasse. The secretary on Wednesday requested the NBR to act immediately as this was worsening the power situation.

Meanwhile, to tackle the mess, State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar yesterday came in aid of the power ministry. He discussed with the power secretary on how to minimise the load-shedding level and later briefed the law enforcement agencies on handling the public discontent.

Being apprised of the power situation, Babar requested the authorities concerned to implement load management measures. He suggested that putting out illumination of all billboards across the country could save 25 MW power. Besides, some industrial establishments with low productivity can also remain off-line and save another 50 MW power.

Babar also suggested that the PDB should ensure uninterrupted power supply to mosques and cold storages.

He assured the Power Division of security measures at all important power installations. Moreover, he assigned some senior officials of his ministry to help the Power Division coordinate with different authorities and remove obstacles. A home ministry source said they were also asked to assist the PDB to resume operation of Tongi 80 MW plant that has remained shut for quite some time.

But on the suggested load management, PDB sources said this is impossible as there is no separate line for industrial establishments or billboards. Load management will have to be participatory and it may be implemented by voluntary stoppage of power consumption at the markets, which consume huge power. Since this is the month of Ramadan, no market will be willing to do so.

The PDB said the power plants yesterday generated 3,090 MW power against an officially estimated demand of 4,200 MW and unofficially estimated 4,900 MW. The PDB has been playing down the actual power demand for the last three years as the government miserably failed to increase power generation.

According to the PDB data, the power plants that have been shut include Karnaphuli-1 and 5 units with 90 MW capacity. The PDB can't say when these plants will resume operation.

Ghorashal 50 MW unit that is capable of generating 30 MW power also remains shut. No one knows when it will resume operation. The fifth Ashuganj 150 MW unit also remains shut with no known date for resumption of operation. Similar uncertainty looms over 70 MW Shahjibazar plant and 60 MW Khulna plant.

The four-party alliance government's claimed achievement in power sector Tongi 80 MW power plant, built by Chinese company Harbin, scored more than 80 shutdowns since March 2005 and now remains inoperative. It is not known when this sub-standard plant will resume operation.

This government's another achievement Barapukuria 250 MW coal-fired power plant remains half shut amid a host of troubles. At first both its units went off earlier this month. After the first unit resumed operation about two weeks ago, the Chinese plant operators said the second unit would be in operation on September 23. Then they rescheduled it to September 29. And now they have once again rescheduled it to October 6.

Haripur 100 MW plant undergoing overhauling will resume operation on December 31 next year.

Ghorashal-3 and 6 units, each with 210 MW capacity, will resume operation tomorrow and today respectively. Shahjibazar 12 MW plant resumes operation day after tomorrow.

Bheramara 20 MW plant will resume operation on October 7, Baghabari 71 MW plant in December and Baghabari Westmont 45 MW plant on October15.

The two 210 MW units of Raozan power plant, capable of generating up to 380 MW, are now generating 20 MW less due to short supply of gas.