Graft allegations: ACC asks PDB for info on 172 power plants

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought detailed information on 172 power plants amid widespread allegations of corruption and irregularities in the country's power sector.

Letters requesting the information have been sent to the Power Development Board (PDB) and other concerned agencies.

In a letter addressed to the PDB chairman, the ACC stated that the requested information is necessary to investigate allegations against the former state minister for power, Nasrul Hamid.

The allegations include accepting bribes, approving projects to benefit family members, illegal occupation of government land, and embezzlement of funds through fictitious projects, confirmed Akhtarul Islam, deputy director of the ACC.

According to the complaint, the power sector witnessed expenditures amounting to $28.3 billion (nearly Tk 4 lakh crore) over the past 15 years. Of this, an estimated Tk 1 lakh crore (one-fourth) is alleged to have been misappropriated under the guise of "capacity charges."