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Regional Conference

On Power Sector Reforms in Asia 9-10 March 2010

Hotel Hyatt Regency

Kolkata, India

RESA Project FindingsBangladesh

Chinmoy MutsuddiNodal Person RESA Unnayan Shamannay

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Developing capacity of the CSOs in participating in policy formulation and regulatory processes

Developing a mechanism of bringing the views of grassroots in the policy level and vice-versa

Promoting consumers’ participation on tariff, quality of service and complaint handling procedure

Creation of a regional network on Electricity.

Project Objective

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Local inception workshop Field research and establishment of base line survey

13 areas around Bangladesh

National stakeholders’ dialogues (Reference Group (RG) Meetings) 2 RG Meetings

Training of civil society organizations at Territorial levels 2 Round

Grassroots interface meetings 8 places, 2 Round

National Advocacy Seminar Final Consumer Survey

Planned Activities

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GaibandhaSingrijani Manob

Unnayan Shangstha

ChapainababganjBeel Chalan

Unnayan Shangstha

RajshahiShepa Society

MeherpurThikana Manob

Kalyan Shangstha

JessoreSushamaj Foundation

KhulnaDesh

BarisalPeople’s Dev.

Org.

Cox’s BazarWait & See

BholaCAB

KhagrachhariUjjibak

ComillaUnited People’s Trust

GazipurAREED

SirajganjSWC

Consumers Association of

Bangladesh (CAB)

Local CSOs in Bangladesh

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Research

Consumer’s perception

Utility status

Power situation

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Consumer advocacy

GIM◦ Utility questioned◦ Opened eyes◦ Hesitation blocked

NRG Meeting◦ Policy makers aware

National Advocacy Seminar◦ Dialogue- Policy makers Utility Media Consumers

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Capacity Building (cont) CSOs trained

Consumer local utility relationship established

Perception changed on complaints handling

• Knowledge on participation in the Electricity Reforms Process enhanced

BERC Activities

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Consumers committee formed in the localities To prevent power theft To encourage consumers to conserve electricity To registration of complaint

Consumers commitment to inform others

To save electricity To chat on electricity billing, registration of complaint, theft of

electricity.

Networking

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Communication network established between

Utility - Consumer Consumer - consumer CSOs - consumer Electricity/energy expert - consumer

Networking (cont.)

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Sirajganj GIM Domestic Consumer Motalebur Rahman attended both

GIM-I and II meeting, he is now aware of problems related to electricity functioning, and prevailing situations of the authorities such as less work force, interference of middle men, bribery etc. Previously for loadshedding and any other problem he used to blame the local electricity authorities harshly. During second GIM he learnt what proper complaint redressal mechanism is.

Project Impact Two Cases

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Rezaul Islam was present at the both GIMs, now he knows about : load shedding, distribution problems, complaint redressal and grievance mechanisms. He is also aware that, the work forces at the facilities are not sufficient so the solution to the consumer problems takes time. He also vows to stop electricity theft and misuse. In addition, not to verbally abuse the electricity officials again.

Project Impact Two Cases (cont.)

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Continuation of the grassroots meeting - large scale Upazilla level District level Division level

Need support for the committees established by consumers

RESA required to continue Consumer / Utilities relationship Capacity building for Consumers to participate in the policy/regulatory process

Internal network established need support Utility Media CSOs Consumers

Way Forward

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THANK YOU