Power price hike protested

23 December 2011, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Gonosanghati Andolan brings out a procession from Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday demanding the government to withdraw the price hike of electricity.Photo: STAR

Different political parties yesterday strongly protested the government's decision of increasing price of power and said it will intensify the sufferings of the common people. They said the government took the decision without removing corruption and mismanagement in the power sector, which will put the national economy into jeopardy. Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) held a protest meeting in the party's central office in this regard yesterday. The party's general secretary, M Golam Mostofa Bhuiyan, told the meeting that the 21.28 percent increase in power price is an arrogant and unfair decision of the government. In a written statement, the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque said the decision will create negative impact on industry and agriculture. He said the power and energy crisis is not removed as the important energy sectors like oil, gas, and mineral resources are controlled by the foreign companies. Addressing a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, the leaders of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal said the people will be in peril when they are already leading miserable lives due to increase in transport fare, house rent, and prices of everyday commodities. They demanded the government contain transport fare, house rent and withdraw the increased price of power and called for the people to wage a mass movement against the government's undemocratic move. The increase in the price of power was also protested by Ganosanghati Andolon.