Jumbangla Desk: Gas connection has been stopped in residential houses for a long time. Awami League government could not provide gas connection despite talking several times. This time, the interim government has taken the initiative to provide gas connection to residential houses. At the same time stove or burner extension may be approved. This information is known from the report of national daily.

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Such a proposal came to the Power and Energy Advisor through Petrobangla through Titus Gas Company. The matter is awaiting the decision of the Advisory Council. This information is known from multiple sources of Titus Gas Transmission and Distribution Company.

Officials-employees of the gas distribution company said that although the residential gas connection was actually closed by legal means, most of the customers took it by illegal means. Apart from this almost every old customer has increased number of burners. Gas distribution companies are deprived of revenue.

It is known that recently a coordination meeting was held at Titus Gas office in the presence of all categories of officials and employees. Several officials said in the meeting that everyone is tired of illegal disconnection and raids in the residential sector day after day. Because, almost every house in the residential sector is being used illegally. It is a difficult task for Titus to go and identify all the houses. But customers don't want to use it illegally. Officials said illegal use is increasing due to the shutdown of legitimate connections.

Officials and employees said that 12 percent of the total gas is used in the residential sector. The rest is in industry and other sectors. But almost all the officials and employees have to be busy in the campaign to stop illegal use in the residential sector. On the other hand, although there are thousands of illegal connections in the industry, they are being ignored.

Field officials say that sanctioning new connections or expansion of burners in the residential sector will increase the revenue by hundreds of crores of rupees within the existing usage. No new gas allocation will be required. Customers will only get validation on paper.

Officials also said that the amount of illegal gas used in some industrial establishments in a day is equivalent to the consumption of two to four lakh residential customers for several months. As a result, we should intensify our campaign in industry as well. At least burner extension should be approved if not direct residential gas connection.

A senior official of Petrobangla said that getting illegal gas connection has become very easy. Several syndicates have been formed to provide illegal gas connections in almost every neighbourhood. These syndicates have been supported by influential local circles. As a result, gas distribution companies are unable to stop illegal gas connections even if they want to.

He also said that those who earlier had one or two gas burners have been approved over time. But the distribution companies are not able to check all the houses due to lack of manpower. On the other hand, those who are responsible for checking are often taking illegal opportunities. As a result, stopping the use of illegal gas has become a huge challenge. Not only stoves are extended, gas connections are being illegally provided to new houses in many areas without approval.

Titus currently supplies residential gas to over 2.8 million customers in its distribution area. However, according to several officials concerned, although there are 2.8 lakh residential customers legally, the number of illegal ones is almost the same. On the one hand, Titus authorities are disconnecting illegal connections, on the other hand, they are taking illegal connections through syndicates.

In December 2021, the Energy Department decided in a meeting that no more gas connections will be provided to the residential sector. Refunds will be made to customers who have issued demand notes. Titus, the country's largest gas distribution company, has formed a committee to refund demand notes to customers. The task of the committee was to identify the right customers and find a mechanism to refund them. However, even in 2024, the customer could not return the money.

An official of the Energy Department said on condition of anonymity that illegal residential gas connections have increased on a large scale. Sometimes evacuation operations are carried out but it is not successful. In this regard, Titus Gas Authority gave several reports to the Ministry. It was said there that illegal connections will be reduced only by keeping the gas connection open. The Energy Department has also agreed to take necessary measures as per the proposal. However, approval could not be given so far due to few traders. Now a proposal has been sent along with Energy Advisor. If it is approved then new connections can be made.

After the Awami League government came to power in 2009, the residential gas connection was stopped. The connection was then reinstated in late 2013. But after 2014, distribution companies were again barred from accepting new applications from residents. Later in 2019, an order was issued to suspend the residential connection in writing.