The government has stepped up nationwide enforcement drives to curb electricity theft and illegal power consumption, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told Parliament on Sunday.
Replying to a starred question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), the minister said ongoing monitoring and enforcement measures have helped reduce illegal electricity use, wastage, and misuse across the country.
He informed Parliament that authorities are taking immediate action against activities such as meter tampering, meter bypassing, and unauthorized electricity connections. According to him, mobile courts led by judicial magistrates, along with utility officials, are conducting special operations to disconnect illegal lines and punish offenders under the existing law.
The minister said special monitoring teams have been deployed to carry out regular field-level drives, disconnect illegal connections, and oversee electricity usage patterns in different areas.
He added that legal action is being taken not only against consumers involved in electricity theft but also against responsible officials if negligence is found.
To strengthen monitoring, feeder-based supervision has been introduced and the installation of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems has been expanded. In addition, traditional post-paid meters are gradually being replaced with digital prepaid and smart meters to improve transparency and accountability in billing.
Public awareness initiatives are also being carried out through multiple channels, including public hearings, leaflet distribution, print and electronic media campaigns, and engagement with mosque imams and community leaders.
The minister further said that unusual drops in monthly electricity bills compared to previous usage patterns are being closely monitored as part of efforts to identify irregularities and prevent misuse.
