PDB, Chittagong has realised outstanding bill of Tk 42 crore, system loss has reduced to 16 percent from 23 percent and collection of bill has increased to 98 per cent in the recent months, they said.

It was possible following the drive launched with the help of joint forces against those who indulged in corrupt practices keeping the state-owned enterprise hostage so far," said PBB Chittagong regional Chief Engineer DK Podder.

As a part of its effort for even distribution of power and checking fraud in reading, PDB has installed some 4500 meters under pre-paid metering system at its Agrabad sub-station area in last four months, he said.

Some 10,000 such meters will be installed at Khulshi and Stadium sub-station areas within next eight months and some 13,000 meters at Agrabad, Halishahar and Muradpur sub-stations, he said.

As per the latest three-monthly statistics, the outstanding bills were Tk 178 crore, including Tk 48.50 crore of current month, sources said.

Of them, outstanding bills of Tk 83.21 crore were due from different government organisations while Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) alone owed Tk 42 crore to PDB, they said.

PDB, however, claims Tk 75.79 crore as outstanding bills from CCC that the city corporation refused to accept, terming it inflated ones.

In this regard, Podder said, "It isn't unusual that faulty meters or pilferage by someone else might raise the bill."

"PDB, Chittagong considered the matter when a team comprising members of both the sides reached an understanding around seven months ago to fix Tk 42 crore as an agreed bill due to CCC," he said.

To make the organisation free from corruption, PDB, Chittagong has so far transferred 23 officials and 19 employees and suspended two employees on charge of corruption.

"Besides punitive measures are being taken against the dishonest officials while disciplinary actions against many others are under process." Podder added.

"A task force has been formed and we are reporting to the authorities concerned for necessary action against the corrupt officials and employees," he said.

The daily production of power on an average stood at 400mw as against the daily need of 575mw in PDB Chittagong, sources said. Chittagong region has some 4.40 lakh consumers.

With some 75mw coming from the national grid, loadshedding of some 100mw is to be made here everyday.

The situation will improve further after Shikalbaha 60mw thermal power plant resumes operation by May 15, they said.

In an ongoing drive since January, PDB, Chittagong disconnected 57 illegal connections, including 44 in Chittagong city and district and realised penalty money of Tk 13.15 lakh, said the PDB officials.