Amid the internet outage and the curfew, hundreds of prepaid electricity meter users have suffered greatly to recharge their meters in the last couple of days in Sylhet.
Some of them remained without electricity for days since their meters ran out of money but they could not recharge online due to the suspension of the internet services.
In the last few days, people were seen standing in long queues for hours at the city electricity distribution centre and sales centre in Shibganj. Meanwhile, a number of consumers said that they failed to recharge their electricity meters despite standing in a queue for hours.
Sufferings mounted beyond the tolerance level for many as they were compelled to stay without power amid the sweltering heat. Some were seen leaving their house and going to their relative’s accommodation for a temporary stay.
Besides, taking a chance on the situation, some people were seen earning illegal money from the few customers for recharging the meters without standing in the queues.
Md Sunny, a resident of Sylhet city said he recharged Tk3,000 in his meter by paying an extra Tk600 to a broker without standing in the queue.
Identifying himself as a customer the Daily Sun reporter asked a broker to manage Tk1000 recharge in his meter while the broker demanded an extra Tk200 for the job.
In this regard, a senior official of electricity distribution centre-2 unwilling to be named, said, “We never take any extra money from the customers. We properly recharge the cards. We received no complaints regarding illegally recharging the meters with extra payment.”