PDB requests urgent subsidy release to clear power producer dues and guarantee electricity supply for upcoming Boro season, which produces over half Bangladesh's rice.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has requested the finance ministry to urgently release Tk 9,750 crore in outstanding subsidies to clear mounting dues to power producers and guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply for irrigation during the critical upcoming Boro crop season.
Maintaining a stable power supply is crucial for Boro, Bangladesh's primary rice-producing season, which accounts for over half of total national output and requires intensive irrigation. Nearly 29% of the country's irrigation pumps rely on electricity, making reliable power essential for farmers across the country, including those in Atrai and surrounding areas of Naogaon district.
A Power Division official confirmed that a formal letter was dispatched to the finance ministry on 15 September, prioritising prompt clearance of power producer bills ahead of the Boro and summer months. The request comes as farmers prepare for the Boro planting season, which typically begins in December and January with harvests taking place in April and May.
In parallel with the electricity supply preparations, the government is also overhauling fertiliser dealership networks to safeguard food security for the upcoming season. These measures aim to ensure farmers have access to both the power and inputs needed for successful Boro cultivation, which remains critical to Bangladesh's food security.