Govt hikes power tariff by 5pc

The government has issued an executive order raising the power tariff by 5 per cent with effect from the current month. The order came bypassing the power and energy sector regulator.

Earlier, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) increased power price by 19.92 per cent at bulk level last November and the price came into effect in December.

Later, six power distribution companies applied to the BERC for a hike in the retail level too. The commission held a hearing on the applications on 2 January.

Meanwhile, the government issued an ordinance on 1 December, amending the energy regulatory commission act. It allowed the government to revise the power tariff in special circumstances.

It used the authority for the first time to issue the executive order on Thursday evening.

BERC chairman Abul Jalil told Prothom Alo that the government hiked the price using its legal authority and the commission has nothing to say here. However, the commission has to pass an order as it held a hearing on the application for price hike.

A decision will be taken in this regard after the commission meeting slated for 15 January, he added.