Rural Electrification Board (REB) has wanted Tk 17.48 billion to reach power to all rural homes. The institution is working to ensure 100 per cent power in 461 upazilas and has claimed that already, work has completed in 305 upazilas.
REB says that additional fund is needed to complete work on time. REB chairman, Maj Gen (retd) Moin Uddin has asked for the money. However, a source says the projects will take extra time since they did not start on schedule.
In the amended budget, REB wanted Tk 78.81 billion but got Tk 61.31 billion.
REB chairman said: “In the amended Annual Development Plan, ADP, I wanted Tk 23 billion and already got Tk 6.12 billion and have been promised of another Tk 11 Billion.”
Power secretary, Dr Ahmed Kaikaus, has said: “In the amended ADP, Tk 29.55 billion has been allotted for power sector with an additional Tk 5 billon, and most of it will be spent for rural electrification.”