"Former prime minister, an alternative powerhouse of the then government, and secretary to the power ministry formed a syndicate to plunder in the power sector," former state minister for power and energy Anwarul Kabir Talukder told a press conference at LDP's Baridhara office, where the white paper was published.

During the last five years, around Tk 6,000 crore was looted out of over Tk 15,000 crore spent for different projects under the power sector, he said.

Talukder, who was in charge of the Power Division for nearly four months at the fag end of the BNP-led government, resigned from the post amid allegation of the government's corrupt practices and later joined the LDP.

During the installation of the Tongi power plant, substandard equipment was supplied at high price in which ministers and bureaucrats were involved, Talukder said, adding that that is why it could not generate even one megawatt of power.

Every year, an expenditure of Tk 1,000 crore was shown for overhauling of the power plants but power generation declined in those plants, he said.

The BNP government had decided to install some small power plants (10 to 30 megawatt) in the private sector, but shelved the plan amid donors' allegations of awarding projects to businessmen on political considerations, he said.

Expressing surprise at the reinstatement of Power Secretary ANH Akhter Hossain after his transfer by the Caretaker Government, the former state minister demanded that the caretaker government probe Akhter Hossain's corruption and take measures accordingly.

Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan and Moni Swapan Dewan, among others, were present at the press conference.