Power Division Withdraws Warning of Legal Action Over Electricity Bills

The Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in Bangladesh has formally retracted its earlier statement warning of strict legal action against individuals and groups spreading information regarding inflated electricity bills. The decision to revise the official stance was communicated through an updated press release issued late on Monday evening (3 August).

The revised clarification comes amidst mounting public frustration over unusually high electricity charges during the peak summer months of June and July. Numerous residential and commercial consumers across the country reported receiving billing statements that were double or triple their typical amounts, despite asserting that their overall energy usage had remained unchanged or even decreased.

In its updated communication, the ministry omitted the controversial clause threatening prosecution and reframed its stance around public cooperation. The revised statement maintained that a substantial number of genuine billing complaints submitted by consumers had already been investigated and resolved by the ministry alongside regional power distribution agencies. Authorities asserted that there is no remaining basis for confusion or misinformation regarding systematic overcharging.

The Power Division reiterated that established administrative mechanisms remain fully operational for affected consumers. Customers who suspect discrepancies in their billing amounts are advised to submit formal applications accompanied by valid supporting evidence—such as previous payment receipts and meter readings—to their respective local utility offices, with assurances that all legitimate grievances will be promptly reassessed and rectified.

Concluding the updated statement, the ministry appealed to the public for responsible conduct, urging citizens and media outlets to rely on verified information from official utility service centres rather than circulating unverified claims. The sudden removal of the legal threat highlights the government’s effort to defuse public anxiety while encouraging constructive engagement through formal administrative channels.