Unbridled price hike
From time to time, at any time of the year, some of our semi-govt., autonomous organisations and public sector corporations increase the prices/tariffs of electricity, water supply, passengers' tickets, petroleum, kerosene oil and gas etc., etc., whimsically and arbitrarily giving us one reason or the other. And the sufferings of our people know no bounds.
Is it justified and right for our top government servants who are running our semi-govt., autonomous organisations and public sector corporations to raise the prices/tariffs of our various natural resources, imported and domestic goods, commodities and services at their sweet will?
What are the successes and performances of our bureaucrats who are running our semi-govt., autonomous organisations and public sector corporations to stop systems loss, minimise wanton expenditure on TA/DA, establishment costs, payment of overtime allowances and honorarium to the offices and staff of their organisations?
Are there any financial discipline, efficiency and coordination, monetary system and procedure of work, accountability, transparency, supervision and control in our country?
What are the aims, objectives and purposes of our yearly national budget, functions and responsibilities of our JS, works and duties of our Ministry of Finance and Bangladesh Bank for the welfare of the state and the people?
We have never heard before of Bangladesh Energy Regularity Commission or any such organisation eliciting public opinion on raising prices of gas, electricity or any other item or service.
Is it legal, justified, constitutional and democratic for BERC to raise or fix the price/tariff of any goods, commodity or service?
What sort of economy are we following in our country? Is it a free market economy, controlled economy of our bureaucrats or economy under World Bank and IMF?
Would our learned financial Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam kindly enlighten us on the relevant matters?
We suggest and strongly demand that in the midst of our present price hike of essential goods, commodities and services, the government refrain from increasing the prices of oil, gas and electricity.
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