Allegations have emerged that Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, managing director of Northern Electricity Supply Company PLC (NESCO), attended the company’s headquarters in Rajshahi only four days during the four months following his appointment. His alleged irregular presence at the designated workplace has reportedly disrupted administrative activities and negatively affected customer services.

Nazrul Islam, a NESCO official, said that although the company’s headquarters is in Rajshahi, the managing director has been conducting official activities from the liaison office in Bijoynagar, Dhaka, instead of regularly attending the headquarters.

According to sources, Rahman assumed office on December 22, 2025, but has reportedly been present at the Rajshahi headquarters on only four days since then. The alleged absence has caused delays in field-level decision-making, slowed emergency maintenance, prolonged the resolution of electricity supply problems and created backlogs in file processing. Sources also claimed that coordination among officials and employees had weakened, leading to dissatisfaction over customer services.

However, on April 15, the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued a directive instructing officials and employees of all power companies to remain at their respective workplaces and perform their duties in view of the global energy crisis.

Dhaka Office Costs Tk 1.2 Million a Month
Operating NESCO’s liaison office in Dhaka reportedly involves substantial monthly expenditure of public funds. In addition to approximately Tk 200,000 in office rent, expenses include salaries for 10 employees, an outsourced driver and other incidental costs, bringing the estimated monthly expenditure to around Tk 1.2 million.

Those familiar with the matter have questioned the need for such expenditure on Dhaka-based operations when the company’s headquarters is located in Rajshahi.

There are also allegations that the managing director uses a luxury vehicle for personal purposes and employs an outsourced driver. According to sources, two flats near the National Press Club in Dhaka are being used as rest houses, incurring an additional monthly expense of approximately Tk 200,000.

Questions Over Meeting Allowances and Honorariums
Concerns have also been raised over expenditure on official meetings held in Dhaka.

According to sources, officials and employees attending each meeting receive allowances of Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000. With an average of 15 to 20 meetings held each month, the total expenditure on this account is reportedly substantial.

Sources further alleged that the managing director receives an honorarium of approximately Tk 12,000 for each meeting. However, the actual amounts, relevant approvals and compliance with applicable rules require independent verification.

Concerns Over Electricity Management
NESCO plays an important role in electricity distribution across the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. Sources have alleged that the managing director’s reported irregular presence at the headquarters has hampered field-level supervision and delayed urgent operational decisions.

They expressed concern that the situation could affect efforts to resolve electricity supply problems and manage load-shedding, potentially increasing public inconvenience.

Before joining NESCO as managing director, Mashiur Rahman served as project director of the Rupsha 800 MW combined-cycle power project under the North-West Power Generation Company during the tenure of the interim government. Sources familiar with the matter said the recruitment process at that time had also drawn discussion.

Managing Director Denies Allegations
When contacted, NESCO Managing Director Mashiur Rahman said, “It has been four months since I joined NESCO. I am currently staying in Dhaka because of official work. When necessary, official duties have to be performed from Dhaka.”

Asked about the allegation that he had attended the Rajshahi office only four days in four months, he said, “Even on scheduled days, it was not possible to travel there because of emergency meetings.”

Rejecting the allegations, Rahman claimed that certain vested-interest groups seeking to protect their benefits were deliberately spreading the accusations. He also said he was monitoring the activities of 16 districts under NESCO’s jurisdiction.

Referring to his long career in public service, he said, “I have not been involved in any irregularities during my 35 years of service.”

Meanwhile, several attempts were made to contact Power Division Secretary Farzana Momtaz and Shahidul Islam, private secretary to the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, for their comments. Neither answered the phone, and their statements could not be obtained.