Regional Conference On Power Sector Reforms in Asia 9-10 March 2010 Hotel Hyatt Regency

1. RESA Project Findings Bangladesh Chinmoy Mutsuddi Nodal Person RESA Unnayan Shamannay Regional Conference On Power Sector Reforms in Asia 9-10 March 2010 Hotel Hyatt Regency Kolkata, India

2. Project Objective • Developing capacity of the CSOs in participating in policy formulation and regulatory processes • Developing a mechanism of bringing the views of grassroots in the policy level and vice-versa • Promoting consumers’ participation on tariff, quality of service and complaint handling procedure • Creation of a regional network on Electricity.

3. Planned Activities • Local inception workshop • Field research and establishment of base line survey • 13 areas around Bangladesh • National stakeholders’ dialogues (Reference Group (RG) Meetings) • 2 RG Meetings • Training of civil society organizations at Territorial levels • 2 Round • Grassroots interface meetings • 8 places, 2 Round • National Advocacy Seminar • Final Consumer Survey

4. Local CSOs in Bangladesh Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Gaibandha Singrijani Manob Unnayan Shangstha Sirajganj SWC Gazipur AREED Chapainababganj Beel Chalan Unnayan Shangstha Comilla United People’s Trust Rajshahi Shepa Society Khagrachhari Ujjibak Meherpur Thikana Manob Kalyan Shangstha Bhola CAB Jessore Sushamaj Foundation Cox’s Bazar Wait & See Barisal People’s Dev. Org. Khulna Desh

5. Research • Consumer’s perception • Utility status • Power situation

6. Consumer advocacy • GIM • Utility questioned • Opened eyes • Hesitation blocked • NRG Meeting • Policy makers aware • National Advocacy Seminar • Dialogue- Policy makers Utility Media Consumers

7. Capacity Building (cont) • CSOs trained • Consumer local utility relationship established • Perception changed on complaints handling • Knowledge on participation in the Electricity Reforms Process enhanced BERC Activities

8. Networking • Consumers committee formed in the localities • To prevent power theft • To encourage consumers to conserve electricity • To registration of complaint • Consumers commitment to inform others • To save electricity • To chat on electricity billing, registration of complaint, theft of electricity.

9. Networking (cont.) • Communication network established between • Utility - Consumer • Consumer - consumer • CSOs - consumer • Electricity/energy expert - consumer

10. Project Impact Two Cases • Sirajganj GIM • Domestic Consumer Motalebur Rahman attended both GIM-I and II meeting, he is now aware of problems related to electricity functioning, and prevailing situations of the authorities such as less work force, interference of middle men, bribery etc. Previously for loadshedding and any other problem he used to blame the local electricity authorities harshly. During second GIM he learnt what proper complaint redressal mechanism is.

11. Project Impact Two Cases (cont.) • Rezaul Islamwas present at the both GIMs, now he knows about : load shedding, distribution problems, complaint redressal and grievance mechanisms. He is also aware that, the work forces at the facilities are not sufficient so the solution to the consumer problems takes time. He also vows to stop electricity theft and misuse. In addition, not to verbally abuse the electricity officials again.

12. Way Forward • Continuation of the grassroots meeting - large scale • Upazilla level District level Division level • Need support for the committees established by consumers • RESA required to continue • Consumer / Utilities relationship • Capacity building for Consumers to participate in the policy/regulatory process • Internal network established need support • Utility Media CSOs Consumers

13. THANK YOU