Officials from Bangladesh’s power sector have alleged that procurement of meters, transformers, and related equipment remains under the control of a syndicate formed during the previous Awami League government. According to the report, the network is allegedly linked to former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, nephew of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The syndicate is said to operate through companies such as Okulin Tech BD Limited, which continues to dominate major prepaid meter projects worth thousands of crores of taka.

Multiple officials claimed that despite 17 registered suppliers, only two or three firms tied to the syndicate received contracts over the past 18 years. The report details alleged irregularities in projects under DPDC, NESCO, DESCO, and REB, including pre-arranged tenders and inflated costs. Private entrepreneurs accused the group of using an “AMI technique” to restrict competition. However, Okulin Tech BD’s executive vice president denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all contracts were awarded through proper procedures and verified by investigations.

A former interim government adviser previously noted that procurement controversies had led to suspension of international funding, prompting a shift toward open tendering processes.