Faruk, Who Rose to Leadership Opposing Quotas, Now Appointed Director in Power Division with Deputy Secretary Rank

Staff Reporter

Md. Faruk Hasan, the spokesperson of the People’s Rights Council, who became known for his political journey in 2018 by protesting against government job quotas, has now become the director of the board of directors of Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited, which is responsible for overseeing electricity supply-related activities in 11 districts of the eastern region of the Power Division.

Farooq confirmed his appointment to the position of Deputy Secretary to the media on Tuesday, October 13.

Referring to the spread of various types of information about the recruitment, Faruk Hasan said, “This is not a graded government job like other jobs. I can be called a representative of the government in managing a specific area of ​​the electricity department.”

He further explained that there are two separate roles in the management of the power department’s institutions. The operational part manages the day-to-day activities of the institutions. On the other hand, the government-formed board oversees the activities of the institutions as a regulatory body.

Regarding the scope of his responsibilities, Faruk Hasan said, “Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited supplies electricity to 11 districts in the eastern part of the country. There are also many substations under it. I have been given the responsibility as a director of the board of directors of this organization.”

Farooq started the journey of the People’s Rights Council in 2018 through a movement demanding quota reform in government jobs. Later, due to internal conflicts and divisions, the party split into two in June 2023. In July of that year, Farooq Hasan was given the responsibility of acting member-secretary in the section led by Reza Kibria.

Later, when Reza Kibria formed a separate political party, the People’s Party, Faruk Hasan served as member-secretary of the People’s Rights Council led by Mashiuzzaman.

After the militant attacks of July-August 2024, an initiative was taken to unify the two parts of the Mass Rights. As a continuation of that process, Faruk Hasan announced at a press conference on December 31, 2024, that he would join the Mass Rights Parishad led by Nurul Haque Nur.

He was then introduced as a member of the higher council, a leader with the rank of senior vice president, and a spokesperson for the party.

Faruk Hasan contested the 13th National Parliament election as a candidate of the People’s Rights Council from Thakurgaon-2 constituency under the truck symbol. He lost the election by getting only 1,843 votes.

Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) was established as part of the Bangladesh government’s power sector development and reform program.

It was registered as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1994 on June 28, 2000. Later, on March 1, 2003, the company was converted into a public limited company.

The first Provisional Vendor’s Agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Power Development Board and APSCL in 2003. Through that agreement, the Ashuganj Power Station (APS) complex was handed over to APSCL.

The company officially started all operations on June 1, 2003. A management structure was given the responsibility of overall management of the company, including operation, maintenance, and development of the power station.

It includes a managing director and four executive directors—officers in charge of the departments of operations and conservation, planning and development, human resources and administration, and finance.