On Sunday, Bangladesh’s interim government established a review committee to investigate power agreements signed by the previous administration under deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The focus is on agreements with business groups, including India’s Adani Group.
The National Review Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has recommended the appointment of a reputable legal and investigative agency to review significant power production agreements signed from 2009 to 2024, during Sheikh Hasina’s regime.
The committee is currently reviewing seven major energy projects, including the 1,234.4 MW coal-fired plant in Godda, India, linked to Adani Power Limited. Other projects under review involve Chinese and Bangladeshi companies close to the previous government.
The committee has reportedly gathered significant evidence suggesting the reviewed agreements could be “scrapped or reconsidered” in accordance with international arbitration laws. Additional time has been requested to further analyse both solicited and unsolicited contracts.
To assist with the review, the committee has recommended appointing top international legal and investigative agencies. The committee is led by retired High Court judge Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury.
India’s External Affairs Ministry has highlighted cooperation in the power and energy sectors is a key pillar of India-Bangladesh relations. Meanwhile, the Adani Group raised concerns regarding an unpaid power bill of USD 800 million, while Bangladesh’s Power Development Board has stated USD 150 million has already been paid.
Recent changes to Indian law allow the Adani Group’s Godda plant to sell power in the domestic market, leading to questions over whether Bangladesh would continue to receive dedicated power from the plant.
The interim government previously formed a separate committee to examine contracts under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010, amended in 2021. This committee is tasked with investigating potential corruption in the country’s electricity and energy sectors.
