CAB Youth Parliament Calls for 13 Energy Reforms, Urges Cancellation of Adani Power Deal in Election Manifestos
By Md Akter Hossain
Dhaka: The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Youth Parliament has called on political parties and candidates contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections to include a clear commitment to comprehensive energy sector reforms in their election manifestos, including the cancellation of the power purchase agreement with India’s private company Adani Power.
The demand was raised at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, where the youth platform of CAB unveiled a 13-point reform proposal aimed at ensuring energy security, transparency, and public interest–oriented management of the power and energy sectors.
A key demand of the proposal is the repeal of the Rapid Increase in Supply of Energy Including Electricity (Special Provisions) Act. The CAB Youth Parliament urged swift settlement of the ongoing CAB writ petition related to the law and called for the cancellation of all contracts and licenses issued under it. They also demanded an immediate halt to furnace oil–based power generation.
The organization further called for re-establishing the electricity and primary energy sectors as “service sectors”, free from profit motives, and ensuring cost-based pricing for electricity and energy services.
To reduce import dependency, the proposal recommends cutting fossil fuel imports by at least 5 percent through improved energy efficiency and conservation. It also advocates increasing electricity generation by an average of 15 percent over the next five years through continuous expansion of solar power, prioritizing solar energy as a small and medium-scale industry.
In addition, the CAB Youth Parliament demanded a five-year freeze on LNG import expansion and a ban on any further increase in coal-based power generation capacity.
In a written statement, the organization called for a public hearing–based action plan to utilize unused gas reserves in Chhatak (East) and Bhola/South regions. It also demanded recovery of financial losses incurred by the state due to controversial energy agreements from the responsible parties.
The proposal emphasized ensuring 100 percent exploration and extraction of domestic gas through local companies, including Bapex, using funds from the Gas Development Fund, subject to public hearings. Those involved in corruption and criminal activities in the energy sector should be prosecuted as “fuel criminals,” the statement said.
The press conference was moderated by Dhaka University student Nausheen Jahan Takia, while written statements were presented by DU students Aritra Roddur Dhar, Ashiqul Islam, Sadman Shakib, Sabat Mostafa Prothan, and Talha Bin Imran of BRAC University. CAB Energy Advisor M Shamsul Alam was also present.
The CAB Youth Parliament expressed hope that political parties and candidates would reflect these demands in their election manifestos, stating that the proposed reforms are essential to protect national interest and ensure long-term energy sustainability.
