Rangpur: By virtue of 100 percent rural electrification, locals have been able to establish some 50,000 power-run cottage, small and medium-scale enterprises, increasing macroeconomic performance in Rangpur division. “These power-driven enterprises are enriching the rural economy by increasing production and creating jobs and reducing poverty,” said Superintending Engineer at Rangpur Zonal Office of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) Engineer Md Rezaul Karim.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BREB has provided over 40-lakh different types of power connections covering 1.50 crore people of around 37-lakh rural families through eight Palli Bidyut Samities both in the On-grid mainland and Off-grid riverine char areas of all eight districts in the division. “The provided power connections include residential, commercial, charitable institutions, small and medium scale and cottage industries, about 800 large industries, one-lakh irrigation pumps in addition to street lights and other connections,” Karim stated.
Powered by rural electrification, local entrepreneurs are continuing to establish more cottage, small and medium scale power-run industries and enterprises, creating more jobs for unemployed rural youths. “In fact, rural electrification has paved the way to set up industries and enterprises like a blessing, setting a milestone in improving quality of life, rural economy and livelihood of rural people,” Engineer Karim added.
Currently, rural entrepreneurs are running power-run commercial establishments, cottage, small and medium industries and enterprises, agri-based and heavy industries while farmers are operating irrigation pumps in rural areas. Small-scale entrepreneur Anwarul Islam from Chandanpat Matiyapara in Rangpur shared that he once led a poor life but saw improvements after setting up a welding workshop utilizing electricity.
Anwarul now earns Taka 18,000 to 22,000 a month after paying electricity bills. Similarly, Shudha Ranjan from Matiyapara earns over Taka 25,000 monthly from his welding workshop, supporting his family of five. Entrepreneur Motiar Rahman operates a husking mill using electricity, earning Taka 25,000 monthly. Kajol Barman from Gopinathpur established a tailoring shop, earning Taka 25,000 each month.
Farmer Ariful Haque Batul cultivates crops using electricity-run irrigation pumps, spending less on irrigation compared to those using fuel-run systems. Emdadul Haque, who was once unemployed, now runs an enterprise recharging batteries for auto rickshaws, employing three people and leading a more prosperous life.
Dr Syed Samsuzzaman from Northbengal Institute of Development Studies highlighted that rural electrification has been transformative for rural communities, creating employment opportunities and enhancing living standards. “By virtue of electrification, many unemployed youths are getting jobs in private sector establishments to earn wages and lead a normal life,” he noted.