�Stolen� power illuminating badminton courts

Every winter, badminton matches are organised at night in different parts of the city using illegal electricity connections, and this winter is no exception. Day after day, the practice continues with the help of a few dishonest officials from the power division who are out to make a quick buck. What’s more, local political leaders are also believed to be in cahoots with these corrupt officials.
During the cold season, night badminton matches are a common sight in towns, including Upashahar, Ambarkhana, Mirabazar, Subidbazar, Sagordhighi, Lamapara, Kumarpara, Thathipara, Bagbari, Nayorpul, Munshipara, Thelihaor and Shahieidgha. At least 100 playgrounds are readied for these matches and they tend to use link line power supply without electricity meters. Each playground uses at least six to eight 500 watt bulbs. The matches continue for at least one month and approximately 15 lakh units of electricity are consumed. Owing to such illegal use of electricity, load-shedding occurs almost every day, not to mention the huge losses in government revenue every year.   
A badminton player from Zindabazar, on condition of anonymity, revealed that some officials from the power division help them connect the link line for a sum of Tk. 400. City resident Nahidur Rahman said he is aware that these matches use illegal power and has tried to dissuade his friends from participating in them for the same reason.
Chief Engineer of Sylhet Electricity Development Board, Roton Kumar Bishwash, said that they have tried many times to disconnect such illegal power lines. Asked about corruption within the power division, he said that he has not received any such complaints about any of his officials. Roton added that if he receives any such complaint, he will take legal action against that person.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, Md Rohmoth Ullah, said that it is up to the power division to disconnect illegal power lines and they can only assist the division in doing so.
CEO of Sylhet City Corporation, Enamul Habib, said that the matter is entirely under the jurisdiction of the power division and only they have a right to take action against illegal electricity users.

�Stolen� power illuminating badminton courts

Every winter, badminton matches are organised at night in different parts of the city using illegal electricity connections, and this winter is no exception. Day after day, the practice continues with the help of a few dishonest officials from the power division who are out to make a quick buck. Whats more, local political leaders are also believed to be in cahoots with these corrupt officials. During the cold season, night badminton matches are a common sight in towns, including Upashahar, Ambarkhana, Mirabazar, Subidbazar, Sagordhighi, Lamapara, Kumarpara, Thathipara, Bagbari, Nayorpul, Munshipara, Thelihaor and Shahieidgha. At least 100 playgrounds are readied for these matches and they tend to use link line power supply without electricity meters. Each playground uses at least six to eight 500 watt bulbs. The matches continue for at least one month and approximately 15 lakh units of electricity are consumed. Owing to such illegal use of electricity, load-shedding occurs almost every day, not to mention the huge losses in government revenue every year. A badminton player from Zindabazar, on condition of anonymity, revealed that some officials from the power division help them connect the link line for a sum of Tk. 400. City resident Nahidur Rahman said he is aware that these matches use illegal power and has tried to dissuade his friends from participating in them for the same reason. Chief Engineer of Sylhet Electricity Development Board, Roton Kumar Bishwash, said that they have tried many times to disconnect such illegal power lines. Asked about corruption within the power division, he said that he has not received any such complaints about any of his officials. Roton added that if he receives any such complaint, he will take legal action against that person. Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, Md Rohmoth Ullah, said that it is up to the power division to disconnect illegal power lines and they can only assist the division in doing so. CEO of Sylhet City Corporation, Enamul Habib, said that the matter is entirely under the jurisdiction of the power division and only they have a right to take action against illegal electricity users.