THE ongoing energy crisis in Bangladesh has attracted public frustration as the Government has ordered load shedding due to reduced power generation in the country, local media reported on Thursday. Leading Bangladeshi daily ‘Prothom Alo’ noted that the offices of power distribution companies asked for help from police headquarters and lawenforcement agencies in many districts to increase security. “The Government has also changed the operating hours of shopping malls, markets and shops across the country as part of efforts to conserve electricity. Under the new schedule, these establishments may remain open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm,” the newspaper reported.

 

The measures that took effect on Wednesday include turning off illuminated billboards by 7 pm, while any type of decorative lights have been ordered to remain off entirely. Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hassan Mahmud noted the Government’s limited capacity, saying that there is no other option to manage the load shedding. The Bangladesh Rural Electricity Association wrote a letter to the police headquarters on Wednesday asking for increased security measures in 80 rural electricity associations in the country. According to the association, public anger is increasing due to excessive load shedding in rural areas. It said that in some places substations are being attacked. The letter requested that security be provided in the substations and offices of rural electricity associations across the country.