Electricity prices will not rise for consumers using up to 75 units. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced this on Thursday. The decision was taken at the request of the Power Division, in consideration of low-income people.
Earlier, on the very day electricity prices were raised, the Power Development Board (PDB) applied to withdraw the two-step increase for the lower residential tier. It asked that the previous rates be retained for lifeline (50-unit) users and, in the first step, for use up to 75 units. The application also proposed introducing a new slab for users in the zero-to-200-unit range.
Confirming PDB’s new application, a BERC official had said the commission would now issue a fresh order. This would increase the government subsidy somewhat but benefit marginal consumers.
A Power Division notice said BERC’s re-fixed tariff did not reflect the tariff proposed for lifeline consumers by PDB with the Power Division’s approval — a point that drew the division’s attention. The division believes this would sharply increase electricity costs for marginal (lifeline) consumers, particularly low- and lower-middle-income families, which could adversely affect their living standards.
The notice said the present government has taken every possible step to improve the living standards of the country’s low- and lower-middle-income families, and that the re-fixed tariff for marginal consumers is therefore inconsistent with the government’s adopted policy. In this context, the Power Division has sent a letter asking BERC to review the re-fixed tariff and re-set it in line with the proposal PDB sent on 3 May for marginal (lifeline) consumers.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report