INDIAN nationals occupying almost all top positions at the Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company that runs a 1,320MW coal-based power plant at Rampal, Bagerhat and drawing heftier salaries and benefits than their peers is surprising. According to a financial review by the Bangladesh Power Development Board, 32 of the top 40 positions are occupied by Indians, who come on deputation from their original employer NTPC Limited, which is an Indian public sector entity. Starting with the position of managing director, the position of project director, all nine positions of general manager, all 18 positions of assistant general manager and 20 out of 34 deputy general manager鈥檚 positions are held by Indian nationals. There are 51 Indian nationals currently working at the power plant. The BPDB review says that Indian nationals are drawing an average monthly salary of more than Tk 10 lakh and receiving other hefty benefits. The BPDB鈥檚 finance wing reviewed the Indian nationals鈥� payments in October last year and revealed that the Indian nationals take a foreign dearness allowance ranging from $4,333 to $4,670 every month, besides their master basic salary. They also take hefty performance bonuses and earned leave encashment.
The details of the paychecks for October 2024 showed that the average monthly salary taken by Indian officials in the month was Tk 26.98 lakh. The highest salary paid in the month to an individual Indian national was Tk 47.76 lakh and the lowest salary paid in the month was Tk 13.12 lakh. The Indian officials were paid Tk 2.7 crore in foreign dearness allowance and Tk 5 crore in performance-related pay, even though the power plant has remained a losing concern due to frequent closures for technical glitches and other reasons. Hefty amounts were also paid against earned leave 鈥� one official received Tk 6.36 lakh in leave encashment. The BPDB review, however, cannot ascertain whether the leaves were earned during the official鈥檚 career at the NTPC or during their deputation at the power plant. The perks and benefits that Indian officials receive at the power plant are way too high compared to those received by foreign nationals working in other joint venture plants. Moreover, in no other plants do foreign nationals occupy so many top positions. For example, the Bangladesh China Power Company Limited, which runs the 1,320MW coal-fired Payra power plant, has hardly any Chinese staff in its vital positions.
The authorities should, therefore, look into the issue and ensure that no undue perks and benefits are given to anyone. The Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company and other joint ventures should have a pay scale that is logical and should not allow the dominance of foreign officials at the top positions.
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