There has been a long term deception going on at Barapukuria coal mine. It’s believed that the malpractice involves moisture within coal.
On one hand, the Chinese extraction company was shown excess moisture and on the other, the moisture was sold to Barapukuria power plant at the price of coal.
The profit from the sharp practice went to the pockets of some officials. But the actual amount of the money could not be determined. However, it’s felt that that the market price of the pilfered coal is Tk 9.27 billion.
In 2018, Barapukuria authority lodged a case as 144,000 tonnes of coal could not be accounted for. Later ACC submitted charge sheet against seven former MDs and 23 officials.
Energy specialist Badrul Imam says: “Acceptable coal moisture limit is 2.3 percent; an audit has found that the Chinese consortium was given an excess bill for 285,000 metric tonnes.
Energy adviser of CAB, Shamsul Alam made some recommendations to stop the stealing of coal.
He said: “The acceptable moisture of coal has to be ensured along with online monitoring.”