65% people spared from power tariff hike - Says info minister

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon yesterday said the government kept 65 percent of the country’s marginal consumers outside the electricity price hike, considering the global energy crisis and domestic realities.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission raised electricity prices at three levels, wholesale, transmission and retail, last Wednesday. The new rates will take effect with the June bill.

Speaking at the Secretariat, Swapon said although BERC raised electricity prices for all consumers, the government appealed to ensure that prices were not increased for marginal consumers who use up to 75 units of electricity.

Consumers within this limit will continue to pay electricity bills at the previous rates, he said. “If there had been a proper policy for energy resource extraction over the past 20 years, we would not have to be so import-dependent now,” he added.

He also said the government has taken initiatives for domestic gas exploration and offshore bidding, while also giving priority to solar and renewable energy production.

Responding to a question, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the electricity price hike would naturally have some impact on the prices of goods manufactured in industries and factories.

At the same time, the government is expanding support for people through various social safety net programmes, which would bring some relief, he said.