A lineman at the Mohanganj Palli Bidyut Samity zonal office in Netrokona has been accused of taking money from customers for meter replacement, connection section changes and shifting connections between poles. The accused, Dipak Chandra Das, allegedly collected thousands of taka while promising services outside official procedures, but in some cases neither completed the work nor returned the money. Kaziyati resident Ratan Mia submitted a written complaint to the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board chairman on August 19.

Ratan said his home’s electric meter was damaged in a storm on June 3. He alleged that Dipak took Tk2,000 at a tea stall the following day, citing an application and compensation, and promised a replacement meter. After Ratan raised the matter with Deputy General Manager Md Emdadul Haque, a new meter was installed, but he said the Tk2,000 has not been returned.

Other customers made similar claims. Priya Akhtar alleged Dipak took Tk7,500 for five damaged meters, while Ujjwal Mia said he paid Tk12,000 to Tk14,000 to move a fisheries connection to another pole. The general manager said an REB letter had been received and an investigation committee would be formed.